Music Leaders Network – the professional development programme for women, trans and non-binary people in music – is now open for applications for its September 2026 cohort.
The first cohort announced since Music Leaders Network won European trade body IMPALA’s Outstanding Contribution Award, it will be UK-based and open to applicants from any European country. Some 18% of previous participants are already based in Europe including Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania & Estonia.
The application form can be found here.
The programme has also partnered with Greater Manchester Music Commission, which is providing a bursary to cover fees and travel for a delegate from the city region to access the programme.
The programme brings together mid-career women, trans and non-binary people from across the industry and establishes them in a deliberate peer-to-peer network.
Applicants for the September 2026 programme will be joining a network of people from across the music industry. Alumni include leaders from PPL, Fuga, PRS For Music, Polydor, September Management, AIM Ireland and Hal Leonard as well as freelance music creators.
Remi Harris MBE said: “The music industry has been through a tumultuous few years to say the least. The landscape is in constant flux. We as an industry need to look at how we can create resilience in the industry. That starts with our people. At Music Leaders Network we see how having a supportive cohort, a dedicated place to learn and tools that truly support you in your career creates leaders who aren’t just more confident in their own skills but also aren’t afraid to support others' growth.
“For this round of Music Leaders Network we would love to hear from: professionals looking for broader networks and perspectives outside of their organisation, people who are reshaping their roles following business or life changes, leaders and creatives with high potential who may be feeling disengaged and want to fall back in love with their careers".
We need to look at how we can create resilience in the industry
Remi Harris
On the importance of the network, Tamara Gal-On said: “What we see with Music Leaders Network is that people come on the programme and at work they are quite siloed. They work in a very specific area and only interact with people who work in that specific area. Music Leaders Network overturns that. Our participants are making connections across the industry and that experience, along with coaching and peer support, is having a direct impact on how they feel about their career.
“People are coming into the programme feeling uninspired or a bit worn out. And when they finish the 5 months on the programme, you can see that they have their enthusiasm for the industry back.”
Mick Ross, CEO at Generator, said: “Generator is the North’s leading music development organisation, and we were built on the belief that a thriving music industry can’t just be successful – it has to be fair. Representation and equity aren’t add-ons; they’re the foundation. The North is full of exceptional women shaping scenes, building businesses and leading change, and it’s vital that the industry invests in their leadership.
“We were incredibly proud to see a Generator team member take part in the 2025 cohort, and we’re excited to follow the next cohort of incredible women as they continue to shape the future of the industry.”
Marina Garvey Birch, freelance creative producer & artist manager and director of Ladies Music Pub, took part in the September 2025 programme.
“The Music Leaders Network programme is an amazing opportunity to help leaders consolidate their skills so far, be inspired to expand their thinking and thought processes around leadership and meet others who are doing the same,” she said. “The one-on-one coaching is completely invaluable for making plans for next steps in a considered and strategic way. I feel so supported and encouraged by the programme and network and hugely grateful to have been included in it.”
Debs Cutting, operations director at Absolute Label Services and participant in the September 2025 programme, said: “This programme has raised my expectations of what leadership can look like – ambitious, collaborative, and rooted in challenge and continuous growth. The network of women I’ve connected with has been one of the most empowering aspects of my career in the music industry. I only wish I’d found something like this sooner – and I’m committed to making sure that female leaders can access this kind of support much earlier. Raising the bar in this way can only drive positive, lasting change across the industry.”
The programme is known for giving participants the skills they need to increase their visibility and realise their potential in an industry that is still male-dominated.
According to Music Leaders Network, of the people who completed the programme in January 2025:
– 100% reported being more effective overall
– 92% said they felt more confident
– 92% were already implementing what they had learnt on the programme
– 100% would recommend it to a colleague.
Applications open today (March 5) for the September 2026 cohort via the Music Leaders Network website and close on Sunday, June 5.
The founders will again provide discretionary bursaries to help with costs for self-employed participants and those working for charities.
For those considering taking a place on the programme, online Q&A events will be available where prospective participants or businesses can ask questions about the programme. More information will be available through Music Leaders Network socials.
Dates for Q&A sessions:
Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 13:00 BST
Wednesday, April 2, 2026 10:00 BST
Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 19:00 BST
