UK record labels association the BPI is from today inviting members of the music industry and the wider creative sector to apply to join its  Equity & Justice Advisory Group. 

To Apply, those interested can fill out and submit the online application form by 19 September 2024 with a short statement or video outlining their professional experience and the areas of DEI/dimensions of diversity they are interested in advocating for.  Questions can be directed to the BPI’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager at [email protected]

The BPI is looking for individuals who are committed to improving diversity, equity and inclusion in the recording industry and who are willing to bring their skills, knowledge, and professional and lived experience to supporting and advising on the BPI’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work.

Though the BPI is made up largely of record label members and represents the recorded music industry, it is also interested to hear from those who work in different areas of the music or creative industries who may be keen to contribute. No prior advisory group or board experience is necessary and applications are invited from individuals from all roles, levels of seniority, regions of the UK and all protected characteristics/diversity dimensions. It is important to the BPI that EJAG is representative not only of the recording industry as it currently is but also the diverse sector it aspires to be.

EJAG meets at least six times a year with three 90-minute meetings online and three meetings in person (one meeting outside of London). Members are expected to read prepared agendas and papers ahead of meetings. Self-employed Members, i.e. those not employed by a ‘sponsoring organisation’, will be paid an £80 stipend by the BPI per meeting attended. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to those who require support to access meetings.

Hailey Willington, BPI DEI Manager, said:

“Ensuring our industry operates with equity and in an inclusive way is a priority for us all, which makes the guidance of our Equity and Justice Advisory Group particularly valued by the BPI.  For this reason, it’s important the BPI is able to expand the breadth of experiences and insights that it can draw on from EJAG and, in turn, help inform its approach on DEI in the most relevant way.

“We are hugely grateful for the long-term contributions of our founding EJAG members and look forward to receiving many applications from others who wish to join them and who are equally committed to improving diversity, equity and inclusion in the recording industry.”

Background to EJAG

In 2016 the BPI, then chaired by Ged Doherty, set up its BRITs Diversity Advisory Group in the wake of a #BRITsSoWhite online campaign. The BRITs Diversity Advisory Group was instrumental in contributing to changes in the BRITs Voting Academy, which have been maintained since. Four years later, in 2020, this group evolved to become the BPI’s Equity & Justice Advisory Group. 

The group initially saw their purpose as to be able to work collaboratively and progressively to advocate and push for positive (intersectional) change and representation across the sector, with an initial focus on race and gender, for the benefit of the music industry and its current and future workforce at all levels.

 

Since then, EJAG – its members and role – has continued to evolve in order to better enable meaningful change in the industry, including around other protected characteristics and dimensions of diversity, such as disability, sexual orientation and socio-economic background.

 

Founding members of the Equity and Justice Advisory Group (EJAG) were drawn from the original BRITs Diversity Advisory Group, and include deputy co-chairs Kwame Kwaten and Paulette Long OBE, Amanda Maxwell, Arit Eminue MBE, Baroness Ayesha Hazarika MBE, Indy Vidyalankara, Jasmine Dotiwala, Meenal Odedra, Mervyn Lynn, and Sharon Brooks. Other members Ben Price and Mackinlay Ingham have since also joined. EJAG is chaired by BPI Chair YolanDa Brown OBE DL.