British music 🤝 The BBC BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE speaking at @gobeyondmcr 2026: "As you may know, the BBC is currently undergoing a once-in-a-decade Charter Review by the UK Government. On behalf of the UK’s recorded music sector, I’d like to acknowledge and thank the BBC for their tireless commitment to supporting and platforming British music and artists – whether through their long-standing support of the Mercury Prize, their decades-long partnership with the Official Charts Company, the incredible impact of BBC Introducing, their international programming at the British Music Embassy, and so much more. You might have seen the advert, “what has the BBC ever done for me?” on your TV screens or your social media in recent months. In the case of the UK’s music ecosystem, the BBC has done, and continues to do, an extraordinary amount. British music would not be the cultural or economic powerhouse that it is today without its support. The BBC gave me my first career job as a journalist. I spent 9 years in total there, and know how importantly it takes British culture in all its forms, alongside British life and risk-taking. That experience taught me that public service broadcasting does more than just mirror culture. At its best, it gives new voices the confidence, platform and reach to shape it. The BBC needs to be funded adequately and sustainably so that it can continue to invest in British music, and support and champion future generations of music talent.” At her keynote speech at Beyond the Music 2026, BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE highlighted the BBC’s vital role in supporting British artists, championing new talent and helping UK music reach audiences at home and around the world. As the BBC undergoes its Charter Review, she stressed the importance of adequate and sustainable funding to ensure this support continues for future generations of music talent. Read the full speech here: bpi.co.uk/news/13468806

What does it take to drive growth across British music? 🇬🇧 "We must protect investment in artists and the teams behind them. We must give British music a joined-up route to global markets. We must make creative education accessible in every community. We must connect local music ecosystems to national opportunity and international reach. And we must embrace innovation with human creativity and value at its heart.” At @gobeyondmcr 2026, BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE (@Doctoe) outlined five key priorities for securing a sustainable future for the UK music industry, from protecting investment in artists and boosting music exports to expanding access to creative education, strengthening local music ecosystems and embracing innovation that puts human creativity first. You can read the speech in full at the link here: bpi.co.uk/news/13468806

Can AI really tell you which artists have what it takes to succeed? In the latest episode of the BPI Innovation Podcast - ‘A&R in the Age of Data’ - our host Amalie Briden speaks with Beth Cherry, Business Development Specialist at @chartmetric, and Jon-Frode Bosaaen, Managing Director of @RegentStRecords, about how technology is changing the A&R process. From streaming behaviour and social media momentum to audience engagement and fan communities, they explore where data can help A&Rs make better decisions, and where human instinct, relationships and cultural awareness still matter. Listen/watch here or wherever you get your podcasts: youtu.be/VZlTsQZch0w

@UK_Music has launched its Workforce Diversity Survey to help the music industry and government gain critical insights into where improvements are needed regarding diversity and inclusion. Find out more and take this vital survey here: surveymonkey.com/r/BPIUKDive…

What happens when AI stops just making music, and starts changing how music rights work? The new series of the BPI Innovation Podcast is here! 🎙️ We’re kicking things off with 'Beyond the Headlines: The Story of AI and Music in 2026’ 👀 In this episode, Sophie Jones, outgoing CSO of BPI (British Phonographic Industry), and Will Hughes, CRO of @TheSoundPatrol, explore what’s really happening beneath the noise around AI and music, from licensing and attribution to provenance, rights management and the future of AI-powered creativity. Watch on YouTube here 👉 youtube.com/watch?v=NGB40NnT… Listen wherever you get your podcasts here 👉 pod.link/1762376083

British music is going global 🌍 Here are your recipients of Round 25 of the Music Export Growth Scheme! 163 Margs, Alex Spencer, BINA., Boston Manor, Bury Tomorrow, caroline, CHINCHILLA, Elder Island, Fat Dog, Grandmas House, Ibibio Sound Machine, JERUB, Joshua Idehen, Koven, LIME GARDEN, Lizzie Berchie, Los Bitchos, Mary In The Junkyard, Pigeon, Qendresa, Rhumba Club, Seb Lowe, The Guest List, The K’s, The Lathums, The Lottery Winners, The Meffs, The Royston Club, Tom Skinner The latest £800,000 round of the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) is being distributed between 29 UK artists to help build their international audiences and careers 🇬🇧 Developed and administered by the BPI, and funded by @SciTechgovuk, @DCMS and the UK recorded music industry, MEGS has supported 540+ British artists, invested £10m+ in UK music, and generated more than £81.5m for the UK economy, demonstrating the power of investing in independent talent and helping British music reach audiences around the world. Applications for the 26th round are now open until 7 September! Find out more and apply here: bpi.co.uk/news/13379472

New models of collaboration between AI companies and the music sector, like the example below, are key to seizing on the opportunities of AI whilst preserving and respecting human creativity 🤝 BPI's commisioned report from WPI Economics made the case for the role of licensing and partnership to drive growth, read more here: bpi.co.uk/news/13235214

If you’re a music business looking for support with international touring, applications are now open for the 26th round of the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) ✈️ Supporting UK independent music businesses as they grow their artists’ global reach, MEGS has already backed 500+ artists and helped drive millions in export growth for British music worldwide 🌍 A vital partnership between industry and the UK Government, the scheme continues to strengthen the UK’s position on the global stage, with applications open now until 7th September. More info on how to apply here: bpi.co.uk/news/13379472

Introducing your judges for the 2026 @MercuryPrize, who have chosen this year’s shortlisted albums, revealed this Thursday from 10:30am live on @BBC6Music 📻 AFRODEUTSCHE - Composer, DJ & Radio 3 Unwind & 6 Music Broadcaster Danielle Perry - Broadcaster (Absolute Radio & Jazz FM) & Musician Jamie Cullum - Musician & Radio 2 Broadcaster; Jeff Smith - Head of Music, Radio 2 & 6 Music Lea Stonhill – Music Programming Consultant; MistaJam – Songwriter, DJ & Broadcaster MistaJam – Songwriter, DJ & Broadcaster Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, MOJO Sian Eleri – Radio 1 Broadcaster & DJ Sophie Williams – Music Writer & Broadcaster Will Hodgkinson - Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times Jeff Smith - The Chair of the judging team #MercuryPrize

Congratulations Arit Eminue MBE, one of the founding members of the BPI's Equity and Justice Advisory Group (EJAG), on her appointment as the new Chair of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce 👏

"There's not a single year that I've been here that I haven't picked up something new" 👏 1 month on from the LA Sync Mission 2026, here are some of our UK delegates' most valuable takeaways... Now in its 22nd year, the LA Sync Mission is a flagship trade programme designed to help UK music businesses get their tracks into US film, TV advertising and games. Bringing together record labels, publishers, songwriters, composers, artists and managers with leading music supervisors and industry executives in LA, the mission provides direct access to one of the world's most influential hubs for Sync. Thanks to our delegates for their time: Diamond Duggal (DesiRock Entertainment), Andy Haggerstone (Bemo Sync), Leslie Blavo (Palm Wine Music), Vicky Taylor (Truelove Music), and Unnati Dasgupta (Indigo World) 🙏 Organised by @bpi_music, @the_MPA and @biztradegovuk 🤝

Congratulations Jo 👏 Our CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE has just been announced as one of @billboarduk's 2026’s UK Power Players 🏆 Jo is helping to drive “a level of global success not seen in years” for British music 🇬🇧 Check out all the other honourees here: billboard.com/pro/billboard-…