About

John Williamson has worked at the University of Glasgow as a researcher and lecturer for twelve years, focusing on various aspects of pop music history and politics. Prior to that they did a PhD on copyright and rent-seeking in the music industries while managing bands, putting on gigs and festivals in Glasgow and writing about music for a range of publications.

Ben Wynter is a music industry leader, entrepreneur, and investment specialist driving equity, opportunity, and growth across the creative sector. As Co-Chair of IMPALA’s European EDI Task Force, a member of the UK DCMS Creator Remuneration Committee, and part of the International Advisory Board (IAB) for Rotterdam’s Department of Culture, he shapes policy and strategy on a global scale. Founder of The Be Unstoppable Podcast and creator of investment readiness programmes, Ben empowers music entrepreneurs with funding and growth tools. He is also co-founder of Power Up, supporting underrepresented creatives and professionals bridging creativity, capital, and inclusion.

Beth Bate is Director of Dundee Contemporary Arts. With large-scale gallery spaces, two cinemas, an open access print studio, an award-winning learning programme, as well as a shop, hire spaces and popular café bar, DCA is a vital cultural and social hub for those that live in and visit Dundee.
 
Beth is a Trustee of V&A Dundee and has also served as a Trustee of the Mount Stuart Trust, as Vice-Chair of Edinburgh Art Festival and as a member the British Council’s Scotland Advisory Committee. Beth is an Honorary Research Fellow at DJCAD at the University of Dundee.  She was a Fellow on the 2014/15 Clore Leadership Programme. Originally from Wales, Beth has a BA (Hons) in English with History of Art from the University of Birmingham and an MA in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester.

Bob is a respected creative leader, particularly in the fields of music and film. In a career spanning over 40 years, his expertise is recognised across the creative industries in Scotland and the UK. His early work in the music industry saw success as a producer, designer and manager as celebrated in the book ‘Hungry Beat’. Bob is Co-Owner of Firststage Sudios, the largest film studio in Scotland. He has been at the forefront of championing Scotland’s TV and Film industry and is an Oscar Nominated and Bafta Award winning producer. He is Chair of the Board of Leith Theatre.

Caroline is Director of Creative at the Edinburgh Futures Institute. Her career includes Creative & Cultural Skills, Creative Scotland, and consultancy in business transformation, and photography.

Her early creative life included ballet and rhythmic gymnastics, fashion, singing in bands for over 30 years, and photography.

She serves on the Board of Architecture & Design Scotland, and volunteers as presenter of the MOVE Summit, Scotland’s 3-day Animation and VFX Gathering.

Cathie Boyd, an internationally respected stage director, producer and curator with 35+ years of experience, is known for her inspirational leadership and innovative approach across multiple art forms including opera, music, digital arts, and film. Raised in Belfast and a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, she founded Cryptic in 1994, aiming to stage groundbreaking music and sound-based performances that captivate global audiences. Cathie has been pivotal in showcasing artists worldwide, notably through establishing Glasgow's biennial Sonica Festival in 2012. Her work with new technologies has included developing live visuals for classical music with prestigious groups such as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and London Sinfonietta. Her accolades include an ISPA International Citation of Merit, a NESTA Fellowship, and the European Woman of Achievement for the Arts. Cathie has also held significant roles as President of the of IETM board and Vice Chair at Visiting Arts, London, and collaborated with Harvard University's metaLAB.

Jenny Niven is Director & CEO of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, the world’s foremost celebration of books and ideas. A producer and festival director for 20 years, she co-founded Beijing’s first book festival, directed programming at Melbourne’s Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas, and created Push the Boat Out, Edinburgh’s first festival of poetry and spoken word. From 2014 to 2018 she served as Head of Literature at Creative Scotland. On stage and on air she has interviewed hundreds of writers, including Maggie O’Farrell, Armando Iannucci, Nicola Sturgeon, Colson Whitehead, David Mitchell, and Nobel Prize winner Mo Yan.

Joel Mills is Director, Music at British Council, UK's international organisation for cultural relations. She oversees the global music strategy and a programme portfolio that includes Selector Radio, international music collaborations, commissions and showcasing opportunities. With a background in the live music sector, and work across all genres, she also champions cross-disciplinary opportunities and talent development.

Joseph Peach is Director of Policy and Public Affairs with Culture Counts, Scotland's network of network of arts, heritage and creative industries organisations, advocating for the development and protection of culture as fundamental to our common future, as well as interim General Manager of New Music Scotland.

Alongside these day jobs he's a pianist and composer, working primarily in trad and folk music.

Muse Greenwood is a seasoned executive with over 30 years’ experience across 14 creative industries, including performing arts, film, publishing, design, and cultural education. A choreographer, showrunner, and award-winning producer, she has co-created a Warner Bros. affiliate children’s show, led a national arts magazine, and launched arts-based health initiatives with corporate backing. Holding a First-Class BA (Hons), an LL.M in Intellectual Property and Contract Law, and an MA in Indigenous and Interreligious Studies, Muse combines intellectual rigour with entrepreneurial energy. She is recognised for strategic clarity, inclusive leadership, and empowering underrepresented voices across Scotland’s cultural landscape.

Trackie McLeod is a Scottish artist based in Glasgow. Trackie uses sculpture, textiles, video and print to explore his lived experience. He is interested in ideas of masculinity and queerness and their intersection with class, politics and popular culture. His visual language is innately Scottish, describing it as “one part tongue-in-cheek, an ounce of sarcasm and a pint of Tennent’s lager.