The Value of Music Managers

Together with the hub and JEM Associates, RMR has produced a report, The Value of Music Managers, quantifying the value music managers bring to the UK music industry.

The collaboration brought together expertise in strategic economic impact, an understanding of the music sector and the application of social return on investment. This allowed us to consider the complex role played by music managers in the UK music sector – how their work involves (and impacts) a range of stakeholders across the industry.

The work was commissioned by Music Managers Forum (MMF), the world’s largest professional community of music managers, with over 1500 members in the UK.

Our research indicates that the music managers role is vital.

Although much of what they do may ‘go under the radar’, the impact ripples out to the wider industry and, ultimately, music fans and the wider public.

The report shows a previously uncalculated and unrecognised value that is being generated by music managers, that impacts on music makers and the wider sector.

Music managers generate impact well beyond their roster of artists – and with the right support, the value they generate can multiple many times over. We provided a social and economic ‘value’ for a core part of the industry, but the research shows that the likely ‘value’ is much higher.

More strategic investment into managers is necessary if the industry as a whole is serious about long term resilience. This would represent a more effective business model for the 21st century and provide increased professional development opportunities.

The report, along with a presentation by Dr Ruth Melville, are avaiable from the MMF website.

Download

• The Value of Music Managers: Calculating the value of managers in the UK music industry – Jael Williams (JEM), Ruth Melville (RMR) and Julia Payne (the hub) – September 2025 (PDF, 4MB)