The Ivors Academy Board Member
Singer-songwriter, cellist, pianist and composer
What drew you to a board role?
Back in 2020, encouraged by my manager at the time, I reached out to the chair of a Jazz committee and asked if I could join. When a space opened up, I applied and was accepted. Over the next few years, through attending meetings and contributing consistently, I grew in confidence and began to understand more deeply how decisions made in boardrooms shape opportunity, access, funding and representation across the industry. So when a call went out for board applications, although I didn’t feel like the obvious candidate on paper, I felt ready to step forward.
What did you bring to the table?
My background as a performer and composer meant that I entered the boardroom with lived experience of the industry at grassroots and professional levels. I brought a strong commitment to amplifying unheard voices, particularly advocating for overlooked members within the membership and for women of colour whose experiences are often marginalised in industry discussions. I also brought creative thinking — the ability to reframe problems, ask different kinds of questions, and hold space for nuance. Sometimes what makes the biggest difference isn’t having all the answers, but asking the question that hasn’t yet been asked.
What do you wish you had understood earlier?
I wish I had understood more about board etiquette and strategy from the outset. Effective board work isn’t just about passion — it’s about timing, listening carefully, understanding governance frameworks, and knowing when to question and when to build alliances quietly. There is an art to lobbying, to shaping conversations before they reach the formal agenda, and to recognising how influence often happens outside the meeting itself. I’ve learned that patience and preparation are as important as conviction. The most impactful contributions often come from those who have taken the time to understand the ecosystem in full.
What advice would you give to women considering a board role?
Boardrooms shape the future of our industry, so if you’ve ever felt frustrated by decisions made about you, without you — that’s your sign to step into the room. Your voice is powerful. Don’t underestimate the impact of questioning how decisions are made, who they benefit, and who might be missing from the conversation. Don’t wait until you feel ‘ready’. Learn how governance works, build relationships, trust that your perspective has value and be prepared to ask the question no one else is asking.
WOMEN IN THE ROOM
Becky Lees
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Operational insight, creative judgment, relationship-building and problem-solving are all boardroom skills.
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Bishi
FAC Board Member
If you are thinking of joining a board, trust the strength and value of your experiences.
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Jackie Davidson MBE
PPL Board Member
There are options out there that we deserve to go for, and that are not out of reach.
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