Lifetime Achievement

Rachel Lindley

Director of Music Publishing, Oxford University Press, PMLL Chair & MPA Faith and Belief Champion

"I’m Rachel Lindley and I’m Director of Music Publishing at Oxford University Press, where we publish choral, classical and educational music. I started my career editing publications at Wise Music back in 2006 after studying Music and then Law, teaching music in a school and working in a music shop. During my career, I’ve been predominantly in the printed music sector, but I also launched music education platforms and worked within book publishing. I’m motivated by playing a part in amplifying the reach of fantastic composers, inspiring excellence in the next generation of musicians, and enabling more people to enjoy making and experiencing music, whatever their background or personal circumstances. I’m currently on the board of directors of the MPA, Chair of PMLL and a trustee of London Choral Sinfonia.

I’m proud to be Champion for Faith and Belief as I know that, for a person of faith or who has been brought up in a faith, it is intrinsically linked to their identity, communities and social networks. Regardless of what any of us believe at any given moment, faith and belief influence the choices we make, give us unique perspectives, and can also bring challenges to navigate. I believe we become stronger by knowing more people who are different to us, so my hope is that in this network, people of all faiths or none can chat, learn from one another and feel supported."

Maria Forte

Founder, Maria Forte Music Services Ltd., MPA Board member & MPA Generation MIX Champion

"I have worked in the music industry since I started at Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd. in the late 70s. I began in an administrative capacity and remained there for 14 years, the last 5 years as General Manager, until the sale of Virgin to the EMI Group. I worked with many contemporary bands/writers including The Police, The Human League, Culture Club, Soul II Soul, The Clash, Stereo MCs and The Prodigy. During my tenure there, Virgin Music expanded from a London-based entity to a global multi-territory publishing network. I spent 4 years at EMI Music Publishing, running the copyright department as well as setting up and establishing the sampling department. I continued to work with the Virgin Music catalogue as well as the rich and varied catalogue belonging to EMI. In 1996, I returned to work with Richard Branson and was a co-founder and Director of Commercial Affairs at V2 Music Publishing Ltd. Despite my move away from EMI, I continued to work with The Prodigy at that time, in order to complete the sample clearance work for their multi-platinum-selling album Fat Of The Land. I also worked closely with Liam Howlett on prior albums Experience and Music For The Jilted Generation. At V2 I signed, amongst others, Fluke and Boy George to the music publishing entity.

I left V2 in 2000 to join MusicState as Chief Operating Officer. MusicState offered an online source of pre-cleared commercial music for synchronisation. I defined and oversaw the launch of their website/service, creating a template for it and accompanying systems through which it could operate. Returning to music publishing I subsequently joined Sanctuary Music Publishing as Director of Commercial Business where my role included the acquisition of rights (catalogue or writer), as well as operational responsibilities for the company. I worked with a catalogue that included Bert Jansch, Axl Rose, Wasp and Spiritual Beggars. Maria Forte Music Services Ltd was created in July 2006, working with a wide and varied group of clients across multiple genres and media, including Amnesty International, Iron Maiden & Phantom Music Management, Modest! Management, Radiohead & Warner Chappell, The Really Useful Group, Jazzie B and The Wedding Present.
I am keen on working with people from different generations to understand what makes them ‘tick’ and how workplaces can learn to accommodate their needs and preferences, where practical, and can help to prevent division and conflict. Maria understands that each generation has its own wants and needs, and values different ways of working.
I am looking forward to working with you, whether you are from the Silent Generation, a Boomer, Gen X, Millennial (Gen Y) or a Gen Z. See you at the network."

Helen Choudhury

Head of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, MPA & Champion for M³

"Hi, I'm Helen Choudhury and I work for the MPA as their Head of Diversity, Equality & Inclusion. I have a legal background in public law and human rights. I went into DEI by ‘accident’ and ended up working in global EDI for over 20 years. Working for various organisations, I have learned what works well and what doesn’t. I have also witnessed many positive changes throughout my career but there is still a lot to do. I believe that we all have something to contribute to DEI, regardless of our backgrounds and that nobody should be left out of the conversation. What I enjoy most is bringing people together through shared experiences, education, understanding and raising greater awareness about topics that can impact them directly or indirectly.

The M³ Employee Network is very important to me, it has been created from my personal experience of living with two chronic, debilitating and progressive gynaecological diseases known as endometriosis and adenomyosis. I am also perimenopausal. These experiences and the extensive research I had done around them made me realise that an Employee Network and Guidance for employees and managers could help create more supportive workplaces. I spent some part of my working life pretending these issues didn’t impact me, smiling and delivering work whilst in chronic pain. I didn’t know if this was something I could discuss with my colleagues or manager, or whether doing so would affect my career progression. I want others to have the tools they need to ensure they don’t have to do this too. I hope that by sharing my experience, I can help others open up and share their personal stories too."

Cementing a legacy

Background

Ceremony

Award

Our Fellows

Eligibility

Wider member recognition