New study shows that UK music industry is more diverse than ever

UK Music has shared details of its 2020 Workforce Diversity Survey in its UK Music Diversity Report in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests after George Floyd's death.

The data was collected from studios, management agencies, music publishers, major and independent record labels, music licensing companies and the live music sector, and the report also presents a 10-point plan to boost diversity and tackle racism in the industry. The survey results are published every two years, and this year a record 3,670 people took part in the survey.

Black, Asian and other ethnic minorities aged between 16-24 being employed in the music industry has significantly increased to 30.6% - up 4.7% from 25.9% in 2018. The report also shows an increase in entry-level jobs for Black, Asian and other ethnic minorities, which is at 34.6% this year, compared to 23.2% in 2018.

Although diversity at entry-level jobs has increased significantly, Black, Asian and ethnic minority groups in senior roles have only increased 2% in two years to 19.9%, which equates to filling just one in five senior roles.

Over the past four years, representation of women in the industry has also improved, standing at 49.6% in 2020, compared to 45.3% in 2016.

UK Music's 10-point plan states that the word 'urban' will be replaced "in all reports and communications" and the acronym BAME will also be phased out, and also urges UK Music members to put aside a percentage of their annual recruitment budget to build a more diverse team. There's also plans for UK Music to be more transparent with the gender and ethnic pay gap, and new diversity policies and diversity targets for core staff to be implemented too.