Music Publishers Association announce launch of new Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) Council

26 July 2021 - Press release

Music Publishers Association announce launch of new Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) Council to address the lack of Black executive talent and DEI disparities that exist within the music publishing sector

 

The trade association for music publishers in the UK, the MPA, has today announced the formation of a new Council to help to engage, influence and drive forwards a core strategy of improving diversity and inclusivity in the music publishing sector. The MPA strives to be a catalyst for positive change and to encourage a more engaged, conscious, and equal opportunity music publishing community.

The MPA are seeking highly experienced and high-profile, policy strategists and public influencers to form the Council. Candidates will have a respected track-record of influencing material change relating to business and culture at Senior Executive and Government level. The Council will meet quarterly to publicly represent the MPA's Diversity, Equality and Inclusion strategy and, to inform the MPA Management and Board of developments in achieving their progressive programme.

 

Roberto Neri, MPA Chair said:

"One of our strategic priorities over the past year has been a review of the music publishing sector to work out why we do not have executive talent that is reflective of society nor of the creators that we all cherish and listen to on a daily basis. After so many words and deep discussions, I am extremely thankful for the commitment of the Board and the MPA membership, to allow us to create this Council and to find appropriate members that will provide full focus on addressing this issue head on."

The MPA has pledged to the Ten-Point Plan developed by the UK Music Diversity Taskforce to increase diversity and boost inclusion across the industry as outlined in the UK Music Diversity Report 2020. Aims of this plan include increasing diverse representation in middle and senior management, implementing better transparency around Gender and Ethnic pay gaps and working towards 30% diversity (race) on UK Music members boards. 

In addition to maintaining ongoing relationships with socially conscious organisations, this year, the MPA launched NXT-Gen Scholars - the scholarship scheme granting free NXT-Gen memberships to successful Black and minority ethnic applicants. Six outstanding Scholars were identified for the first cohort and they will enjoy benefits such as access to work experience opportunities, access to all MPA training courses, networking opportunities and more. 

 

Links:

UK Music 10 Point Plan https://www.ukmusic.org/equality-diversity/ten-point-plan/

UK Music Diversity Report https://www.ukmusic.org/equality-diversity/uk-music-diversity-report-2020/

MPA NXT-GEN Scholars Programme https://mpaonline.org.uk/mpa-announces-new-career-access-scheme-nxt-gen-scholars/

MPA Inaugural NXT-Gen Scholars https://mpaonline.org.uk/mpa-announces-first-six-successful-scholars-for-new-diversity-initiative-nxt-gen-scholars-with-ambassadors-clare-everson-music-supervisor-and-mpa-board-member-jackie-davidson-mbe/

 

To register your interest in becoming a Council member please contact Comms@mpagroup.com with MPA DEI Council clearly in the subject line.