We’ve spoken with some of our previous Future Leaders to see what they’re doing now and how the Future Leaders programme has helped them in their music career. Applications for our next cohort of Future Leaders are still open until 1st September – scroll down to apply!

Looking back on your time as a Future Leader, how did being part of the initiative impact or help you and your career so far?

Being part of the Future Leaders programme has been life-changing for my career.

I took a break from the music industry due to my disability, when my confidence was at rock bottom. The programme gave me the confidence to get back into music management on my own terms and understand that I don’t have to work to the standard music industry model. My confidence has grown and enabled me to take on opportunities I didn’t think possible.

It has also helped me build a community of like-minded people to share experiences with. As a manager, I now feeI more empowered to advocate for people with disabilities in my field of work.

Can you share your favourite career highlights since your time as a Future Leader?

Since joining Future Leaders I’ve set up my own management business, Westwick Management, with a small roster of rock artists. This has led me to help run the Rock and Metal steering committee for the European Music Managers Alliance, which works to grow the Rock and Metal community across Europe through networking events and education panels.

The programme also helped me gain skills as a public speaker, having spoken on panels including at Focus Wales, as well as being featured on podcasts speaking about my experience and advocating for people with disabilities. I was also published in the Music Managers Forum report sharing my experience of working as a manager with a disability.

I’m now involved in mentoring and teaching with several music universities and colleges. I also work for Youth Music as a freelance assessor.

In three words, can you summarise your experience of the long term career benefits of being part of the Future Leaders initiative?

Life-changing, confidence-building, opens doors.