MU Executive Committee
Strategist, executive coach and access specialist
What drew you to a board role?
In 2020-2022 I was running a podcast about the music industry, and was interacting with various national campaigns run by the Musicians' Union and other industry leaders, such as Composers Against Buyouts and the Musicians' Census. Through hosting Musicians' Union guests on the podcast, I developed relationships, and was made aware of the committee structure of the MU. I wanted to contribute to policy and change making at a national level, and was impressed by the MU's proactive attitude to all issues affecting musicians, especially equality, diversity and inclusion. I felt this was somewhere my experience could be part of bringing about meaningful change. I joined my Regional Committee initially, and then ran for the Executive Committee and was elected.
What did you bring to the table?
My career has been in arts management, and I have worked in several roles that have involved governance, meaning I have 'serviced' many boards and committees. Since starting my own arts management organisation in 2018, I have had the opportunity to see the music industry from many angles - working with artists, agents, venues and promoters, funders, record labels, publishers, education settings, and industry trade bodies. I saw how the different parts of the industry interacted, and how the power dynamics worked. There was a clear 'status quo'. In 2020, when the lockdowns started, the industry was faced with unprecedented circumstances, and conversations about the status quo were opened up. I founded the podcast 'Music Works' which talked to people across the industry about what it really meant to be a part of the music industry, the highs and lows. I have also more recently specialised in disability access support.
What do you wish you had understood earlier?
There is a great deal of variation in how music industry boards operate. I have experienced the MU board as a member, and a number of other music industry governance boards in work roles where my job was to report to/support them. My experience is that the way the boards work is significantly affected by who is on them and how the power is distributed. Before joining the MU executive committee I had had a lot of experience of music industry boards as having core members who had been there a long time and were quite institutionalised, and controlled conversations and tone, leading to gatekeeping, variable respect of board members, and ideas and innovation rarely taken on with enthusiasm. There were some exceptions, but my concern over joining any board was that I would be a token member, treated as 'new' or inexperienced, and/or not be able to take an active role. In joining the MU's EC I have experienced quite the opposite, and there is admirable best practice on that board.
What advice would you give to women considering a board role?
Trust yourself and your experience, and ask questions. No question is a silly question. Boards need you and your experience, exactly as it is!
WOMEN IN THE ROOM
Ayanna Witter-Johnson
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Becky Lees
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Bishi
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If you are thinking of joining a board, trust the strength and value of your experiences.
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