The MPG has existed as a membership organisation of over 30 years, representing engineers, mixers, producers and recording studios from all backgrounds. The MPG exists to advocate for members and support their careers, promoting fairness and equality of opportunity, and celebrating and promoting the achievements of all those working in music production.
Executive Directors have responsibility for the running of the MPG – this includes ensuring the guild is on a sound financial footing and uses funds wisely. The board decides what areas to campaign on, and which events to put on for members, it also oversees the running of the annual MPG Awards, including reviewing awards categories and deciding recipients for gifted awards.
Another important part of being a board member is representing the interests of engineers and producers to government departments, politicians and other industry bodies, through attending boards and committees of organisations such as UK Music (for political work), DDEX and PPL (An MPG board member is normally invited to be an observer member on the PPL Performer Board). This work was particularly important during Covid where the MPG ensured there was safe working guidance for studios, and that activities such as singing that were banned for amateurs could continue for professionals.
The MPG Board is supported by our wonderful administrator, Vicky Cuff, and freelance IT, socials and PR teams.
The current board runs by meeting for one hour a week on zoom, with additional meetings in the runup to awards, and additional meetings with other organisations, audio manufacturers and some in-person attendance at music industry events. The board decides collectively what schedule works best for everyone and how much in-person and online to do.
The MPG holds all-out board elections at an AGM once every three years, all 5 positions on the board are elected. In between those all-out elections, there may be by-elections at an EGM where an individual board member may choose to stand down before the date of the next AGM and all-out election. This is the case with the current board elections – three directors are standing down before the date of the next AGM so this is an EGM by-election for three positions on the MPG board. The next all-out election will be in 2023.
Unfortunately, the position of MPG executive director is a voluntary one, although expenses are covered.
MPG Personal Statements
Please also include your name, address, date of birth and any company directorships currently held – these details will not be made public.
Personal statements should be approximately 200 words in length and tell members a bit about yourself, your motivation for standing, what you hope to achieve, and why they should vote for you!
Please email your statement to backroom@mpg.org.uk no later than midnight on 26th August.
Personal statements of all those seeking election will be circulated to all Full Members of the MPG no later than 1st of September.
Online voting will be open for 1 week from Thursday 14th September until 6pm on Thursday 22nd of September.
The Results will be announced at the AGM on 22nd of September.
Here are some comments from the current board on what it means to them.
Olga: “In my role at the MPG, I ensured that recording studios could continue to operate in the pandemic by working with industry colleagues and government bodies to draft music production guidance, and lobbied government ministers when regulations changes and new lockdowns threatened our livelihoods. I’ve campaigned for the rights of self-employed parents, working with UK Music to bring the #Selfieleave campaign to 3 different party-political conferences in 2019. I had zero experience of sitting on boards before I became involved, and I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in making change”
Matt: “I was thrilled when I asked the team about standing; they firmly encouraged me. When I stood, I had two objectives: making a positive difference in members’ lives and removing barriers of entry for people from challenging socioeconomic backgrounds like mine. So far in my role, I have helped members during the COVID lockdowns appeal funding rejections, put the awards on a sound financial footing and found new sponsors and partners. I’m currently in the process of decreasing the barriers to entry. It’s an honour to be a voice for people from backgrounds like mine who are underrepresented at senior levels in the music industry. I feel I can make a real difference by advocating for care-leavers and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Cameron: “I’m passionate about credits, copyright and the metadata needed to get that right. In my role as an MPG Executive Director, I sit on the board of UK Music and have worked hard to get recognition and understanding for producers and engineers and their issues in the wider music business. I also sit on the performer board at PPL and represent the MPG at DDEX studio group to ensure our voices are heard. I’ve organised and spoken at many events to educate members on their rights, which is particularly important in the age of streaming and AI. I’d really recommend a board role at the MPG to anyone who wants to help engineers and producers to get fair pay and recognition.
Katie: “In my role at the MPG I’ve been able to be a voice for women in the industry. I’ve campaigned successfully with others to get Gearslutz to change their name, and through a partnership with 2% Rising helped increase MPG membership among women and gender minorities. I’d recommend this to anyone passionate about increasing diversity in the industry”
Rhiannon: “As a writer-producer, it’s been great to be the voice for writer-producers on the board. I helped to introduce the MPG Award for writer-producer, which has become one of our most popular awards. I’d recommend standing for a board position to anyone who wants to represent a part of the production industry that they feel needs a voice
