The gender pay gap figures released by prominent music companies must act as a “serious driver for change” within the industry, say leading female executives.

Numbers revealed last week by the three majors showed Universal Music UK to have an average pay gap of 29.8%, with Sony Music UK at 22.7% and Warner Music UK at 49%. The national average is 14.1%.

“Many people were saddened by the statistics but I don’t believe many of us were shocked,” said Deviate ...