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Throughout the day, in a succession of expert panels and presentations, we heard how music managers are adapting and future-proofing their business models, and why they are tapping into new forms of investment – both for the benefit of their clients’ businesses, and the development of their own companies.

The scene was set by a rousing address from our event sponsor, Alex Heiche, CEO and founder of the pioneering funding platform Sound Royalties, which identified three major shifts that are driving new forms of financing: the importance of people and brands, the rise of digital-first creators, and the emergence of artist-led businesses.

The notion of “investability” in music, mused Alex, has now evolved far beyond the sale and acquisition of catalogues.

“It’s bigger than that,” he stated. “It’s about a person. A story. A community. An audience that doesn’t just listen… they believe. Investors have started to see a shift in what makes a good investment. It isn’t just about past earnings anymore; it’s also about future potential.”

More highlights of Alex’s speech appear here in Music Week.

Following a detailed presentation by Dr Ruth Melville of new research that – for the first time – measures the economic impact of UK music managers to their clients and the wider music industry, we moved onto our first panel, where Kim Frankiewicz (Concord Music Publishing), Rob Challice (Wasserman Music) and Rich Castillo (Lionbear Music Group) debated how managers are impacting their respective areas of the business in publishing, live and recorded.

In a fascinating discussion, they attested to how most effective managers are able to transform the vision of their artist clients into business, the importance of finance to unlock commercial leverage, and the growing importance of data and brand partnerships.

All agreed that managers should be using Ruth’s research findings – which conclude that managers boost the wider UK music business to the tune of £714m – to strengthen their hand in negotiations!

After lunch, attendees were given a quick lowdown on the MMF’s all-new Guide To Alternative Finance by MMF Chief Executive, Annabella Coldrick and MMF PR consultant, Adam Webb.

Both highlighted how the popularity of music streaming had transformed the idea of music as an investment asset, how the range of financing services is both multiplying and becoming relevant to a far wider pool of artists and music makers – and how, increasingly, managers are also capitalising on these trends.

The widely-perceived notion that music management businesses are not “investible” may need something of a rethink.

This also provided a jump-off for our final two panels of the day.

First, focussing on different forms of artist investment, with the MMF’s Paul Bonham leading a discussion with Alessia Avallone (Language of Sound), Cam Blackwood (Rezonate Music), Jennifer Horton (Matrix Equity Partners) and Maarten Puddy (VOWTA Management). With Alessia and Marteen both securing significant investments on behalf of clients, and Cam and Jennifer launching their own investment funds (the former focussed on producer rights; the latter to provide temporary “bridge” funding for artists) it provided a fascinating snapshot of the current investment landscape – and particularly the opportunities open to emerging or DIY artists.

We heard clear evidence, for example, that catalogue buy-outs are not simply the domain of superstars acts like Fleetwood Mac or Bruce Springsteen. Increasingly, artists and music creators generating relatively modest sums in streaming royalties have an opportunity to participate in some of these new models. The panel concluded that alternative financing is becoming central to artist development, and there is a clear requirement for managers to become financially literate.

After short presentations from Tomas Ericsson, CEO of AMRA, and Charlie Pierce of Neverno Management – the latter picking up on findings from the MMF’s 2024 Management Deals Guide – we switched focus to how managers are attracting investment into their own businesses.

Moderated by Ludo Hunter-Tilney from the Financial Times, this final panel featured representatives from two of the UK’s most fascinating management and music companies – Chloë Roberts from Young, and ATC Group’s Ric Salmon – alongside financial and business experts Daniel Ross (Ross Bennet Smith) and Joseph Davis (Bray & Krais).

(Joseph has also contributed a handy page of investment tips that we’ve published alongside our new Alternative Finance Guide.)

After discussing the historical challenges facing management companies seeking investment – i.e. the fact that managers have traditionally held no stake in rights or IP – Ric explained how ATC Group embarked on an IPO in order to raise finance, using that money to fund the strategic acquisition of service businesses, such as the merchandising company Sandbag. Similarly, Chloë detailed the evolution of Young, from an independent record label (with investment from Beggars Group) to a management business, a publishing company, and, most recently, a creative space.

In both instances, value had been created *around* a management business – diversifying revenue streams, mitigating risk, and improving the likelihood of ‘investibility’.

Building a more tangible business proposition is frequently the best solution for managers seeking investment, agreed Dan and Joseph – for instance, by starting a label or publishing business or by entering into co-partnerships with clients.

With all speakers also offering cautionary words of advice, it felt like this was very much the start of a conversation as management companies continue to evolve and push beyond industry conventions.

The MMF looks forward to building on these dynamics going forward, and ensuring managers have all the support they need to develop sustainable and forward thinking businesses.

The meeting then segwayed into the MMF’s Annual General Meeting where 2 new Board Directors were elected – Sarah Abbot of Wildlife Entertainment and Elise Brown of Revere Artists. The MMF team launched a new membership structure and Manager Certification as part of its PRO tier. The first round of certification will take place this autumn with the validated cohort of managers being made public end of year. The meeting concluded with an interview with MMF Chair, Niamh Byrne and Vice-Chair Jill Hollywood, reflecting on their first year in post and what they are most excited about coming up including a new producer deals guide and focus on innovation in music and how managers can seize the opportunity for themselves and their clients.