Respected music industry educators Remi Harris and Tamara Gal-On have announced the latest iteration of their women’s leadership development programme, the Music Leaders Network.
Beginning in September 2022, the programme will be open to both company employees with a minimum of five years’ industry experience and self-employed women in music.
Businesses are being urged to invest in their women leaders and future leaders, while bursaries will be provided for the self-employed to assist with costs. Additionally, there is a focus on encouraging Black women to be encouraged to apply to the programme by their employers.
Based around individual coaching and small-group training, the programme has already built a track record of success, with many previous participants, including creators, agents, publicists, managers, label and publishing executives, and live music professionals.
Among those confirmed for 2022, PPL is funding the attendance of two staff delegates.
In 2020 and 2021 the leaders’ network was commissioned by Manchester-based charity Brighter Sound as part of their Both Sides Now gender-equality project.
After completing the Music Leaders Network in 2021:
• Participants reported increases in income of between 15% and 100% one year post-programme (by adding greater business value, and progressing to more senior roles)
• 100% of women understand their leadership strengths and weaknesses
• 91% of women felt more confident in their abilities as a leader
• 82% of women considered themselves a more effective leader who was more equipped to deal with conflict and difficult team dynamics
Applications open today with online launch events on Friday, June 10, 2022 at 1pm and Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 6.30pm where prospective participants or businesses can ask questions about the programme. Full details are here.
Co-Creator Remi Harris, who joined the Music Week Women In Music Roll Of Honour in 2019, said: “Participating in this kind of leadership development was life-changing for me 15 years ago, it significantly increased my impact and visibility in the industry and lifted me into senior leadership positions. Now, as a trainer and coach, I want to help other women fulfil their leadership potential.”
I want to help other women fulfil their leadership potential
Remi Harris
Co-Creator Tamara Gal-On: “Seeing the many successes of the participants of the last two editions of the programme which focused specifically on women in music in the North of England, we realised we’d like to proactively encourage Black women to access the September 2022 network as a tangible contribution to supporting the industry in redressing inequity as brought clearly to light during the Blackout Tuesday event.”
Peter Leathem, CEO at PPL, said: “PPL is committed to making the music industry a more equitable, inclusive and diverse place to work. The Music Leaders Network has a strong history in supporting women develop their careers and we are proud to fund the attendance of two of our staff and provide them with valuable education, mentoring and coaching.”
Julie Cotton, formerly tour site coordinator for Massive Attack, currently tour site coordinator for Ed Sheeran, said: “It was a wonderful shared learning experience and I now have a network of fantastic women I can call on for guidance, support and to share experiences with.”
Judy Sichlinger, formerly of EMI Production Music now at Aviator Management, said: “Before the programme I saw myself as an overwhelmed problem solver with no real power to change anything whereas now I see myself as a leader. Music Leaders Network is a programme that helps you realise what it is that you want to do with your career and how to become a true leader. It will give you all the tools necessary to formulate your values, your ambitions and overall, your plan.”
Nathalie Candel, freelance tour manager, said: “The Leaders Network is a group of amazing music industry professionals who will ultimately become collaborators, sounding boards and friends.”
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