British Music Organizations Sign Pledge for Gender-Balanced Leadership
Women In CTRL, a non-profit advocacy group, announced on October 23, 2023, that more than a dozen British live music organizations have committed to a pledge aimed at enhancing gender inclusion within the industry. The initiative, known as the Seat at the Table Inclusion Pledge, marks a significant milestone as the first of its kind in the United Kingdom, focusing on achieving gender-balanced leadership by 2030.
This pledge has garnered the support of several notable organizations, including ATC Live, Ginger Owl, and major players such as AEG and The O2. In total, all 15 LIVE (Live Music Industry Venues & Entertainment) organizations have signed the pledge, which also encompasses the Association of Independent Festivals, the Featured Artists Coalition, and the Music Managers Forum.
Commitment to Accountability
Participants of the pledge will engage in collaborative efforts to develop case studies, share insights, and participate in future roundtables and peer learning sessions. According to Women In CTRL, this cooperation is vital for enhancing accountability across the live music ecosystem. Signatories will also be expected to submit annual reports detailing their progress in key areas, including improving governance and board diversity through regular reviews and term limits.
In April 2023, Women In CTRL and LIVE released a groundbreaking report titled Seat at the Table: LIVE Edition. The findings indicated some progress, revealing that 61% of the Music Venue Trust board identifies as women or non-binary. However, the report also highlighted ongoing disparities in leadership representation across the sector.
The same report found that 41% of board members across LIVE and its affiliated organizations are women or non-binary individuals. Following this, LIVE has established 2030 inclusion targets, which aim for 50% of leadership roles to be filled by women and non-binary people, alongside 16% representation from global majority backgrounds in senior leadership positions. Notably, the representation of women on U.K. music trade association boards increased from 32% in 2020 to 52% by 2024.
Voices from the Industry
Gaby Cartwright, head of partnerships at LIVE, emphasized the necessity for improved gender representation at the highest levels of the industry. In a statement accompanying the report’s release, she noted, “As an industry, it’s clear that we must do more to improve gender representation at the highest levels. Reaching this goal will require collective effort, accountability, and meaningful action — but momentum is building. This report provides crucial insight into the challenges we face, and the concrete steps needed to drive lasting change.”
Nadia Khan, founder of Women In CTRL, reinforced the importance of measurement in driving progress. She stated, “We know from experience that what gets measured, gets done. This report is an essential first step; by setting a clear benchmark, we are providing the industry with a roadmap for action, not simply reflection.”
Those interested in further details can access the full Seat at the Table: LIVE Edition report on the Women In CTRL website. This initiative represents a critical move toward fostering an inclusive environment within the British live music sector, aiming to create a more equitable landscape for future generations.
