Every year, 12 industry game changers are inducted onto the Roll Of Honour at the Music Week Women In Music Awards, and this year’s list could be the strongest yet. Here, we meet the executives…
Annette Barrett , Managing Director, Reservoir/Reverb Music
How do you feel about joining the Music Week Women In Music Roll Of Honour?
“Delighted and proud!”
How did you get into the music business?
“In a slightly diverse way. I was studying art, however, music was always a passion. After art college I was looking at my options in the art world and through contacts and by chance got offered a job at Carlin Music, which I thought I would take while I was deciding. I guess the rest is history!”
Did you have a mentor and/or role model who helped/inspired you in the early part of your career?
“I have been incredibly lucky to have worked with many inspiring people, but if I had to mention one it would be Carol Wilson, one of the first female executives in the business.
She originally ran Virgin Music Publishing and then set up DinDisc Records, which was an incredibly successful Virgin label in the ‘80’s (mainly run by females) and she brought me into Virgin Music.”
What do you consider to be the biggest achievement of your career?
“Building [Reverb as] a successful, independent music publishing company, being able to develop songwriters and artists and, even after it was acquired [by Reservoir in 2012], being able to continue the culture.”
Do you think there is parity of opportunity and remuneration for women in the UK music industry at the moment?
“We have come a long way, but there is still a lot more work to be done.”
Have things improved during your career? And what more needs to be done?
“Things have definitely improved during my long career. I think, as in many industries, we should not to be so gender specific and encourage equal opportunities. It should be a given for both male and female.”
The issue of sexual harassment in the entertainment industries has dominated the news agenda lately.Does the music business have a problem?
“Unfortunately, it seems a deep-rooted problem everywhere. The outpourings suggest there’s a lot more to come out on this topic, good and bad.”
What advice would you offer young female executives about enjoying a successful career in the music business?
“Speak up and be heard – and they need to feel they are being encouraged and listened to as well.”
Story By: Music Week Staff
