Backed by YouTube Music and Arts Council England

MMF Training Opportunities

MMF Hyperdrive is a new professional development programme designed to fast-track the growth of talented music managers, combining intensive training, peer-to-peer learning and practical support to help managers build stronger, more sustainable businesses.

Launched in 2026, MMF Hyperdrive marks the next evolution of the MMF and YouTube Music’s longstanding partnership on professional development for music managers. It builds on the success of the Accelerator Programme, which supported more than 150 UK-based managers between 2019 and 2025 through a combination of financial support, expert-led training and community building.

As the role of the music manager continues to expand, Hyperdrive has been developed to support managers who are already building growing businesses and are ready to take the next step. The programme focuses on developing capacity, creativity and commercial skills, while helping participants explore new business models, technologies and working practices.

Running across four months from September 2026 to January 2027, participants take part in a programme of in-depth training and knowledge-sharing, including advanced sessions around YouTube’s latest services and AI productivity tools. Managers also receive a £1,000 professional development bursary to support activities such as conferences, training and travel, alongside access to MMF events and the 2026 Artist & Manager Awards.

The programme culminates in a dedicated three-day residential and provides participants with the opportunity to work towards recognition through the MMF’s Professional Music Manager Certification. At its heart, Hyperdrive is about creating a strong peer network where managers can share knowledge and experience, build their businesses and develop the skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex music industry.

Meet the 2026 Hyperdrive Managers

The first MMF Hyperdrive cohort brings together 15 managers from across the UK, spanning independent businesses and established management companies. Collectively, they represent an eclectic range of artists, songwriters, DJs and producers and will take part in four months of intensive professional development, peer-to-peer learning and industry access with MMF and YouTube Music.

✦ Andy Westhead, Foray MGMT
InMe, Lastelle, Mogy

✦ Annie McIntyre, And Artist Management
Crazy P, Felix Dickinson, Hot Toddy, Ron Basejam

✦ Claire Kilcourse, Big Life Management
Orla Gartland, LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER, The Futureheads, Sivu

✦ Gareth Dobson, Wichita Management
Gold Panda, Gruff Rhys, Gwenifer Raymond, Luke Abbott, Snapped Ankles

✦ Hannah Beasley-Garrigan, Repercussion Management
Tash LC, Ikonika, Sir Hiss, Holly Lester

✦ Ina Dubois, Eleven Management
Gorillaz, blur, Clean Bandit

✦ Jack Fratini, East City Management
Kodaline, Keo, Bertie Newman

✦ James Foster, Coalition-Audio
A.M.C, Aktive, Delta Heavy, Koven

✦ Jess Plummer, Solar Management
Cameo Blush, Four Tet, Tom Skinner

✦ Mark Meyer, GroundStaff
Ichiko Aoba, Liana Flores

✦ Morgan Harrop, All Day Music
again&again

✦ Olivia Williams
Fergus McCreadie, SHOLTO

✦ Seán Price, Brook Records
Curtisy, banríon

✦ Trillest, TRC Management
SKARZ, BNIZZ & WIZXRD

✦ Xavier Burgess, Monopoly MGMT
Cikho, SunnyBoyFitz, Sabodi, The League of Rebelz

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“We at YouTube are thrilled to be evolving our longstanding partnership with the MMF, with the launch of Hyperdrive. Once again, we have an amazing group of managers, whose diverse expertise and experience will create an incredible opportunity for knowledge sharing and community building.”

✦ Maddy Smith — Artist Relations Manager, YouTube Music

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“I'm incredibly grateful to be joining this new programme with The MMF and YouTube, deepening my understanding of the industry's rapidly shifting digital landscape and sharing experiences with other managers, working together to address challenges and new opportunities.”

✦ Jess Plummer — Solar Management

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“Management is about sacrificing to believe in someone else’s dreams, and doing everything you can to help make them a reality. I applied to Hyperdrive to learn, grow and become the best manager I can be for my artist.”

✦ Trillest — TRC Management

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“The Hyperdrive programme is the only course of its kind, and as an independent manager it's going to provide me with invaluable access to resources, expertise and a network of peers that will have a huge impact on my work.”

✦ Olivia Williams — Independent Manager

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“The MMF’s partnership with YouTube Music has been key to us developing a comprehensive range of professional development programmes for managers, most notably with Accelerator. MMF Hyperdrive raises the bar even further. They already represent an incredible array of talent, and our goal is that this new network will help boost their businesses and open up the potential of new technologies and working practices.”

✦ Paul Bonham — Director of Professional Development, MMF

Applications

Applications for the current MMF Hyperdrive cohort are now closed.

Details of future application rounds will be announced here and through MMF channels.

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