May 13, 2024 – The BPI – the representative voice for the UK’s world leading record labels and music companies – today announces details of its presence at this year’s The Great Escape festival, Brighton.

BPI Chief Executive Dr Jo Twist OBE and BPI Chief Strategy Officer Sophie Jones will on Thursday, 16th May host The BPI presents: In Tune with Talent – a keynote and panel discussion focused on the symbiotic relationship that exists between education, talent and the music and creative industries. The event will take place from 1.00pm at the Leonardo Royal Waterfront Hotel (Leonardo Royal Hotel Conference Room 2), Kings Rd, Brighton.

The event will commence with an address by Dr Jo Twist OBE, BPI CEO, who will highlight the calls to action she recently set out at the BPI’s In Tune With Tomorrow conference held in London on 22nd April.

BPI CSO Sophie Jones will then chair the 40 minute panel discussion that will comprise Esme O'Keeffe (Label Manager at Modern Sky), Joel Duncan (MixTape Madness), Kelly Betts (Editor for BBC Music Introducing) and Malena Wolfer (Director of Artist Services at Believe UK).

Together, Jo, Sophie and the panellists will explore how the door to talent around the UK can be opened further so that talented young artists and people drawn from all backgrounds can have a meaningful opportunity to find their way into the industry – to be nurtured, developed and realise their creative and commercial potential. The event will further consider how record companies and labels, artist management, regional hubs, media platforms, and other parts of the music ecosystem are already working effectively together to tap into the talent pipeline and what more can be done or is needed for our industry to be able to harness diverse talent to help support British music and exports.

The panel will follow the BPI’s Opening Party on the Beach, to be held the day before, Wednesday 15th May from 6pm, while later in the week on Saturday, 18th May from 3.00pm the BPI will also take part in a Meet the Funders event for The Great Escape, again at the Leonardo Royal Waterfront Hotel.

Chris Tams, BPI Director of Independent Member Services, said: “The BPI has been a long-term supporter of The Great Escape and we are delighted to continue our association by this year hosting our In Tune with Talent panel and opening beach party and also taking part in the Meet the Funders event. We look forward to welcoming as many delegates as possible and invite them to be part of the important conversation exploring how we can together create more pathways for diverse talent from all parts of the UK to come into our industry and realise its creative potential.”