The Music Managers Forum (MMF), the world’s largest professional community of music managers, and YouTube Music, have announced the 18 independent music managers who will participate in their annual Accelerator Programme.
Launched in 2019, Accelerator’s goal is to help these creative entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses, and to ensure those at the forefront of talent development are best prepared to support a new generation of artists, songwriters and music producers.
As well as YouTube Music, the Accelerator Programme is supported by PPL, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Music Industry Association. Find out more here about how PPL is helping the MMF develop the next generation of industry leaders.
Following a rigorous selection process, participants benefit from a combination of grant funding of £10,000 each alongside a 12-month schedule of education and training.
The impact of the MMF’s Accelerator Programme on the music management sector will be discussed at a panel at SXSW London on Wednesday, 4 June, featuring former participants Sarah Muise (manager of SHYGIRL, COBRAH, Alissic and Lou Hayter) and Jamil Theo Carrol (manager of Young T & Bugsey and Kwengface) alongside Lizzie Dickson, Head of Music, YouTube (UK) and Paul Bonham, the MMF’s Professional Development Director.
To date, 133 individuals have completed the programme, and more than 90% are still operating as music managers for artists including PinkPantheress, Joy Crookes, Shygirl, Wes Nelson, Joy Anonymous and ENNY.
Last year’s Accelerator cohort reported an average 18% increase in year-on-year earnings, enabling them to support the careers of a wider range of creative talent.
2025’s group of 18 managers are drawn from across the UK and embody an array of experiences and backgrounds. Collectively, they represent 62 clients – based everywhere from the UK to Nigeria, Iceland and the US – operating across a diversity of genres, and including solo artists, bands, producers, songwriters and DJs.
The MMF & YouTube Music Accelerator Class of 2025
Allie Davies, Tiny Shell (Chloe Slater, Fletchr Fletchr, chameleon, Anolah)
Cali McKinne, Charm Artists (Surusinghe, James Rand)
Dexter Batson, Little Wonder (ARXX, Ezra Williams, superserious)
Fabian Phipps, Intersect (Dove Ellis, Joe Chandler, Noah Baine)
Helena Watmuff, Candy Artists (BODEGA, Child of Prague, HONESTY, The Orielles, Matt Peel, Sergio Maschetzko)
John Baccoli, Vanquish Music (Basht., The Rolling People)
John Forsyth, Lockback Management (Gallus, Spyres, Parliamo, Danko, Dictator, Mairi Sutherland)
Katherine Melling, KZMusic (piri & tommy, Ellie Dixon, Natalie Shay, Tom Vek)
Lei Jennings, Circle Talent (Dolly Rae, Marcel, Apollo George)
Lekan Latinwo, Intricate Management (ALT BLK ERA)
Niyi Folarin (Benjiflow, Naila, Cracker Mallo)
Paul Samuel, Sampl Music (Mnelia, Nosa Apollo, Kellimarie Willis, Lilly Raye Music)
Rachel Wingate, Two Tyger (Jamilah Barry, Carrie Baxter, Saffron)
Rosie Watson, Different Creatures (The Big Day, Ryan Hunter, Chris Marshall)
Steph Van Spronsen, Baroness Music (BLACKGOLD, Henka, North Atlas, DeadWax)
Tracey Kasongo – 20 Twenty MGMT (ShaSimone, Mica Sefia, Mya Craig, DJ Donch)
Tumisha Balogun, Tag Agency (AMBRR, 00ab)
Will Schreiber, poptown (Finn Foxell, Betty, Casnova, Tommy Gold)
Paul Bonham, Professional Development Director, MMF, said: “There is nothing like Accelerator anywhere else in the world, and I’m delighted to welcome another 18 participants into the programme taking us to a grand total of 150 managers over the past 7 years. The MMF is incredibly grateful to YouTube Music, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, the Scottish Music Industry Association and PPL for their ongoing support.
“The impact of entering independent managers into such a vibrant and generous network has been truly profound, encouraging our creative entrepreneurs to expand their horizons while continuing to break a rich diversity of culturally and commercially important artists, songwriters and producers.
“Quite simply, Accelerator empowers the industry’s preeminent talent developers to do what they do best – develop talent.”
Peter Leathem OBE, CEO, PPL, added: “Managers play a key role in supporting and developing talent but are often unsupported themselves. Once again, we are proud to support the MMF Accelerator class of 2025 through PPL Giving, helping equip them with essential skills to build sustainable careers in the music industry.”
Dan Chalmers, Head Of Music, YouTube, EMEA at Google, said: “Accelerator is now 7 years strong and it has blossomed into something truly special – way more than just a programme, it’s a real community. The exchange of knowledge is a two-way street, where we learn as much from the participants as we impart through support and mentorship. We are consistently impressed by the ingenuity, tenacity, and entrepreneurial mindset of the emerging leaders in our industry who join Accelerator. We can’t wait to team up with the new cohort and make some incredible things happen together!”
More information about the MMF’s Accelerator Programme can be found on their website.
Main image: front row L-R – Davy Wales, Member Development Manager, PPL, Niamh Byrne, Chair, MMF, Annabella Coldrick, Chief Executive, MMF, Dan Chalmers, Head of Music, YouTube, EMEA at Google, Maddy Smith, Artist Relations Manager, YouTube Music
