Major funding from HMUK drives Music Business School growth

18 January 2017 - Press release

• Music Business School becomes a Community Interest Company (CIC)
• Five rotations of its innovative MMBE accredited course to run from February

London-based Music Business School has received substantial funding from Help Musicians UK to facilitate further growth and development. This includes the school's move to become a Community Interest Company (CIC) and run regular ‘Managing a Music Business Enterprise’ (MMBE) diploma courses on a self-sustaining basis.

The funding marks a new step for HMUK and compliments their existing funding streams for artists' career development. Alongside sharing their extensive network to provide guest speakers and other contacts, HMUK will receive 10 fully funded places spread over the five upcoming MMBE courses during the next two years. 

Three of these rotations have been scheduled for 2017, with a further two courses to follow in 2018. The 13-week course aims to provide essential industry knowledge and a recognised qualification in a format which, unlike other full and part time education, can fit around people’s careers. An additional three-day Electronic Dance Music specialist course will take place in summer 2017.

Operating from emerging creative hub Tileyard Studios, the courses will help drive professional growth, utilising impressively high calibre speakers and a cohesive overview of the industry, covering record labels, sync rights, streaming updates, tour management, and much more. As a CIC, a form of social enterprise, any profits will be reinvested in the business, enabling further expansion and evolution of the programme. 

Launched in 2010, MBS’s alumni have developed their exciting and varied careers. The impressive list includes Claire Mas, Head of Digital at Communion Music Group; Lizanne Thomson, MD of the UK Theatre School, and Cleo Panther, vocalist for electro swing pioneer Parov Stelar; amongst many more. 

These achievements reflect the high calibre of returning speakers such as MMF President Jon Webster; David Goggin, Head of Repertoire & Member Data at PPL; Henry Semmence, MD of Absolute Label Services; and Simon Parkes, former owner of Brixton Academy.

“I’ve spoken at quite a few MBS sessions, and have loved every minute, particularly the Q&A part" said Parkes. "The courses cover every area of the music industry, while the students are so enthusiastic and drawn from a wide range of backgrounds. Looking forward to another round!”

Companies are increasingly making use of MBS as a resource to develop and further the careers of their own staff, with previous courses including pupils from BPI, Sound Advice, Stephen Budd Management, and Music 4.5. One of the best examples of this is Clare Miller, a copyright lawyer for BPIwho attended MBS when she moved from Penguin.

Steve Melhuish, MBS Director and head tutor, commented: “With the help of HMUK, 2017 is going to be an important year which will establish Music Business School as a CIC and see us developing our core programme. We are indebted to our team of experts that advised us along the way. Particular thanks goes to Remi Harris, who teamed us up with HMUK.”

HMUK’s Creative Director Claire Gevaux added: “We’re keen to support long term sustainable careers in the music industry. Offering career development funding has been core to our work for many years and we’re delighted to be able to bring MBS into our portfolio of supported organisations. By helping MBS to become a CIC and investing in an affordable professional development qualification, we can have a much greater impact on the resilience of the sector.”