PPL, the UK’s music industry royalty collector for performers and recording rightsholders, is launching a new initiative called ‘PPL Giving,’ a dedicated GBP £1 million (approx. USD $1.3 million) annual program designed to to support and invest in the future of music in the UK.
PPL Giving prioritizes initiatives that promote equality of opportunity, embrace a wide range of musical genres, and geographically reflect PPL’s diverse membership across the UK. This means supporting organizations that drive positive change through music education, talent development, career support for veteran musicians, and artist well-being programs.
The first wave of recipients includes 26 organizations. Among them are the BRIT School, a renowned performing arts institution, and Youth Music, which advocates for music education opportunities for young people. The Benedetti Foundation‘s Ambassador program, offering free music education to over 100 students and recent graduates, is another beneficiary.
Other recipients include B:Music, Baby People, the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM), Curve Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Drake Music Scotland, East London Arts & Music (ELAM), Generator, Heart n Soul, Inside Track, Jazz re:freshed, Lady of the House, Last Night A DJ Saved My Life Foundation, the MMF Accelerator Fund, Moving On Music, Music Local, Music Minds Matter, NQ Legacy, South Asian Arts UK, Tomorrow’s Warriors, United Development (UD), World Heart Beat Music Academy, and the Young Urban Arts Foundation (YUAF Backstage).
PPL says it has already distributed a total of £7.2 million ($9.2 million) since the turn of this century to dozens of UK organizations working towards a more equitable and sustainable music scene. PPL Giving builds on this legacy, incorporating existing support for entities like the PRS Foundation, which itself includes the PPL Momentum Music Fund and the International Showcase Fund.
In 2023, PPL paid out £279.6 million ($357.8 million) to over 165,000 performers and recording rightsholders, marking a 14.3%, or £34.9 million, increase from 2022. It was also PPL’s highest annual payout in its 90-year history.
“This year PPL celebrates 90 years of giving back to music and the launch of PPL Giving underscores our continued commitment in supporting investment in a fully representative and sustainable music community across the nations and regions.”
Peter Leathem OBE, PPL
PPL CEO Peter Leathem OBE sees the program as a way to “future-proof” the UK music industry.
“This year PPL celebrates 90 years of giving back to music and the launch of PPL Giving underscores our continued commitment in supporting investment in a fully representative and sustainable music community across the nations and regions. By championing education initiatives, the development of performers and helping musicians’ welfare, we hope to play our part in future proofing the UK music industry for years to come,” Leathem said.
Laura Gardiner, Foundation Director at the Benedetti Foundation, said, “Funding from PPL is vital to the success of The Benedetti Foundation’s Ambassador Programme, an annual free music education training scheme for 100+ students and recent graduates over the age of 18, open to instrumentalists, singers and any other students involved in the arts. At the Foundation, we aim to unite those who believe music is integral to life’s education, and provide equal access to music participation and appreciation for all.”
“Funding from PPL is vital to the success of The Benedetti Foundation’s Ambassador Programme, an annual free music education training scheme for 100+ students and recent graduates over the age of 18, open to instrumentalists, singers and any other students involved in the arts.”
Laura Gardiner, The Benedetti Foundation
Michael Bonner of Moving on Music highlighted PPL’s support as crucial for expanding their agency and development project, Middle Aisle, saying, “PPL’s support will allow us to increase the time and resourcing we put into Middle Aisle, increasing opportunities for artists to perform, earn, and learn.”
“PPL’s support will allow us to increase the time and resourcing we put into Middle Aisle, increasing opportunities for artists to perform, earn, and learn.”
Michael Bonner, Moving on Music
“Working with 12 Northern Ireland acts from the world of folk, jazz, trad, classical and ‘other’ music, Middle Aisle has already proven itself to be hugely successful and massively needed. It is a highly practical model that goes way beyond the traditional agency role, offering management, label, PR and signposting advice. We are hugely grateful to PPL and their investment in Middle Aisle.”
Yvette Griffith, Chief Executive & Executive Director, Jazz re:freshed, added that “the PPL team has helped educate so many of our associated artists on how to access royalties that may be due to them. PPL’s contribution to Jazz re:freshed over the past few years has strengthened the foundations of our weekly event and enabled us to ensure that we can continue to shine a spotlight on the breadth of artistic and cultural expression within the unending pipeline of emerging and midscale UK Jazz talent.”
“The PPL team has helped educate so many of our associated artists on how to access royalties that may be due to them. PPL’s contribution to Jazz re:freshed over the past few years has strengthened the foundations of our weekly event.”
Yvette Griffith, Jazz re:freshed
Generator CEO Mick Ross said their partnership with PPL “enables us to provide essential education, skills, and knowledge to our region’s industry while ensuring access and opportunities for all. As the North East emerges as an international hub for music, arts, and culture, our collaboration with PPL creates tangible opportunities within the region, enabling talented individuals to thrive. By retaining local talent, we strengthen our community and contribute to the lasting success of our vibrant music scene.”
The new program comes as the UK recorded music market saw 179.6 billion audio streams of music in 2023, up 12.8% year over year, according to data from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in March.
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