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BPI launches Equality & Justice Advisory Group

By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 7 October 2020

UK record industry trade group BPI has formally announced a new Equality & Justice Advisory Group, which has been advising the trade body on diversity, equality and inclusion since June.

Largely made up of industry executives of colour with a background in music and media, it is co-chaired by Paulette Long, Kwame Kwaten and overall BPI Chair Ged Doherty.

Members of the group have been drawn from the previous BRITs Diversity Advisory Group that was set up in 2016. That earlier group came into being as a response to accusations that the BRITs award ceremony was failing to recognise the booming grime scene and was instead handing out the majority of prizes to white pop acts.

Other members of the new advisory group include Amanda Maxwell, Arit Eminue, Ayesha Hazarika, Indy Vidyalankara, Jasmine Dotiwala, Matt Ross, Meenal Odedra, Mervyn Lyn, Naz Hussain and Sharon Brooks.

“The BPI Equality & Justice Group is in the right place at the right time”, says Long. “Ready to tackle inequalities in the music industry having already proved that meaningful engagement, a strategic plan of action and a desire to do what is right can bring about real lasting change”.

“It’s been a long road and many meetings, but I feel being part of The Equality & Justice Advisory Group has been worth it and will grow to help bring more diversity to the BPI”, adds Kwaten. “There is still much work to do but I’m hopeful that we can make a difference. The Equality & Justice Advisory Group stands for just that! EJAG all the way”.

As well as this, the BPI recently launched a new equality training programme for its members, with three sessions already having taken place. More are planned for later in the year.