Submit an application here. 

"2020 has further highlighted that there are so many talented people of all backgrounds out there that could offer so much to our industry, but, they can sometimes lack the support structure or network that would help them to further develop their career path or organisation. We welcome this new BPI initiative, which recognises the need to support future leaders, particularly those from underrepresented categories who often have to overcome more barriers than most if they are to succeed." - Paulette Long and Kwame Kwaten, Co-Chairs of BPI’s Equality and Justice Advisory Group

Submit an application here. 

"2020 has further highlighted that there are so many talented people of all backgrounds out there that could offer so much to our industry, but, they can sometimes lack the support structure or network that would help them to further develop their career path or organisation. We welcome this new BPI initiative, which recognises the need to support future leaders, particularly those from underrepresented categories who often have to overcome more barriers than most if they are to succeed." - Paulette Long and Kwame Kwaten, Co-Chairs of BPI’s Equality and Justice Advisory Group

Are you running your own independent record label or music company and want to get support to learn more about the industry?

Apply today for access to 1 year’s membership to the big music industry organisation, the BPI, that counts the 3 major labels and 475 indies as its members, and runs the annual BRIT Awards and Mercury Prize.

The scheme will see up to 20 labels and music companies either owned or run by individuals from underrepresented categories – including women, people from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, people with disabilities, or those who identify as LGBTQIA+ – receive free Full BPI membership for a year and all the benefits this entails1.

The free Full BPI membership for a year includes extensive member benefits:

• Free access to the BPI’s acclaimed training and education (close to 50 staged in 2020 to date alone covering everything from digital marketing to understanding copyright);
• International business and conference opportunities;
• Trade mission webinars in support of exports and business growth;
• BPI events such as Insight Sessions, as well as access to partner events at discounted prices;
• Possible legal support and access to copyright protection;
• Research and market insights;
• Government relations engagement;
• Access to the tech startup community via the Music & Tech Springboard Programme;
• Digital and communications support; and more.

Apply now for a chance to get your spot before the closing deadline of January 4th 2021, 12pm.

The successful applicants will be announced on Jan 8th and receive their free 12-month membership from 11th January 2021 (lasting until 31/12/2021).

An application form can be submitted here, and applications will be considered by an internal BPI committee.

Casandra Strauss, BPI Senior Special Projects Manager, said: “Everyone is rightly upping their game to more actively promote equality and inclusion across our industry, and the BPI has been working hard to make a difference also. Among other initiatives, we recently launched equality training aimed at reducing the barriers that undermine equality of opportunity for all, and we feel we can now build on this in a simple but effective way by offering 20 free membership to companies from underrepresented categories. In doing so, we hope to support the next, diverse generation of leaders.” 

The BPI Membership Inclusion Programme will complement other BPI initiatives aimed at encouraging greater diversity and inclusion across the music community – including the BRITs Apprentice Scheme, BPI’s Equality Training Programme3, and the BPI Equality & Justice Advisory Group4, which was established earlier this year, drawing members from The BRITs Diversity Advisory Group set up in 2016. 

Notes

1 Normally priced at £120 + VAT/ year + 3.5% of PPL contributions).

2 BPI Access Membership – Criteria and Terms & Conditions

Applicants can only apply for or on behalf of a UK-based independent record label which is owned or run by (as CEO, MD, GM or other executive of equivalent seniority) a person that falls within one or more of the following underrepresented categories: Gender (Women & Non-binary), Race (Black, Asian or Other Minority Ethnic), Disability or LGBTQIA+. Existing BPI Members are not eligible to apply for the Scheme.

Read more about member benefits here: https://www.bpi.co.uk/join. By submitting an application, companies agree to be bound by the Scheme’s T&Cs, which can be found here. If you have any queries on the application process or the Scheme itself, please email [email protected]