UK Music Introduces 'Five Ps' Guide to Boost Diversity and Inclusion Across the Music Industry

29 October 2025 - Press release

 

UK Music has introduced its ground-breaking Five Ps guide to bring about enduring change and positive outcomes for diversity and inclusion across the music industry.

The Five Ps is a practical guide that follows widespread consultation right across the sector. It maps out five key areas that UK Music and the UK Music Diversity Taskforce have identified as crucial in delivering significant outcomes and enduring change. These areas are People, Policy, Partnerships, Purchase, and Progress.

Music industry organisations and businesses should have robust EDI policies in place to support groups who are more likely to experience discrimination and who are underrepresented in workplaces. In 2020, UK Music examined trends that emerged from our 2016 and 2018 Diversity Reports, as well as qualitative research that had been collected via focus groups in 2019, to create a music industry Ten-Point Plan (see notes to editors).

This plan provided clear actions that could be taken by UK Music members and the wider industry to improve diversity and inclusion across the entire music ecosystem.

From that initial Ten-Point Plan, UK Music and the UK Music Diversity Taskforce created The Five Ps – a toolkit outlining suggested policies centred on each 'P'. Further details on each of the Five Ps can be found under notes to editors.

PEOPLE
Diverse talent must be cultivated through fair hiring processes, nourished through an inclusive environment and encouraged by engaged leaders.

POLICY
Policy change is an important first step in improving outcomes and leaving a lasting
impact. It is crucial for organisations to create a vision that will sustain long-term diversity goals.

PARTNERSHIPS
Strategic partnerships have clear mutual benefits. A fundamental step towards building an inclusive industry is sharing our skills and growing alongside one another.

PURCHASE
Even the most diverse organisations need to ask if the way they operate and obtain goods or services could better encourage diversity. Organisations need to look at their purchase process across all tenders and consider the benefits of how external influence and challenge can improve leadership.

PROGRESS
Impact can be measured in a number of ways, but charting progress is one of the most fundamental pillars of measuring success.


UK Music Diversity Taskforce Chair Ammo Talwar MBE said: "The Five Ps is a practical, powerful model designed to help music companies move beyond pledges and embed inclusion into every part of their organisation.

"It is not about ticking boxes. It is about rewriting the rules. The Five Ps offers a roadmap for every organisation, big or small, to be part of a cultural shift that makes diversity not just visible, but foundational."

UK Music Diversity Taskforce Vice-Chair Paulette Long OBE said: "The Five Ps empowers organisations of every kind with the tools they need to break down barriers that prevent diverse talent from flourishing. By continually embracing the five principles of People, Policy, Partnerships, Purchase, and Progress, organisations can drive meaningful change, laying the foundations for a more inclusive industry for generations to come."

UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said: "There is great appetite across the music industry to integrate UK Music's approach to diversity and inclusion across businesses and organisations to achieve equity across the sector. This action plan responds to huge demand for the 5Ps, a concept originally launched in 2022, and provides vital tools to make this happen."

For more information and to visit the Five Ps website click here.