Rachel Hawker

Director of Education, Rocksteady Music School

Rachel Hawker, director of education at Rocksteady Music School, is a professional music teacher and long-term gigging musician. A leading voice in primary music education, she is dedicated to making music more inclusive and accessible for all children. Rachel and her team have decades of experience teaching in primary schools, developing innovative and progressive approaches to help children engage with music in meaningful and exciting ways. Rocksteady is the UK’s largest rock and pop school, teaching 100,000 children through weekly in-school band lessons. It is also the UK’s largest employer of full-time, permanent musicians, with hundreds of music teachers working nationwide.

Pronouns: she/they

Rachel Holmberg

A&R Director, Decca

Rachel Holmberg is the Director of A&R for Decca Records at Universal Music; a role that sees her oversee the repertoire from the frontline roster as well as new signings to the label. Decca is home to world-class musicians including Ludovico Einaudi, Max Richter, Aurora, Jacob Collier, The Teskey Brothers, Victor Ray and more. Rachel joined the label in December 2018 as Head of A&R and conceived the Blue Note Re:imagined album series (which features the likes of Jorja Smith, Ezra Collective and Shabaka Hutchings) and recently released Chet Baker Re:imagined – the 3rd in the series. Rachel is responsible for signing Abbey Road’s Artist in Residence Jordan Rakei, artist-composer Isobel Waller-Bridge, indie supergroup FIZZ and dodie to the label.  Having always been passionate about music from a young age and studying Music Production and Music Business at college and degree level, Rachel started out her career in artist management, working with artists such as Jamie Cullum through to Marina and the Diamonds. In 2013, she began working for the BBC and helped lead flagship radio events including Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Radio 2 in Hyde Park and the 6Music Festival. In 2015, she secured her dream role as the Producer of BBC Introducing - eventually progressing to lead the new music initiative by 2017.

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Sarah Wall

Senior Events & Partnerships Manager, PPL UK

Sarah leads on events and partnerships at PPL (the UK's music licensing company for over 140,000 performers and record labels). Activity includes collaborations across the UK as well as further afield, such as at SXSW in Austin (as a partner of the British Music Embassy). Her 20-year career in music has covered artist management, A&R, design and marketing. Before joining PPL, Sarah spent a decade building careers as an artist manager, developing artists from bedroom demos to playlists and stadium tours. Prior to this, Sarah started out as a graphic designer, creating record sleeves at an NYC design studio.

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Tom Ogilvie

Brand Development Consultant, DMS Vinyl

Hailing from the Southwest, Tom is an avid musician, event producer and brand development professional. Managing growth and partnerships for acclaimed global music manufacturer DMS Vinyl, Tom recently spearheaded their successful campaign to raise early awareness of Youth Music’s Rescue the Roots mission. Tom is also a founding director of social enterprise Patchwork Studios, a celebrated grassroots venue and recording studio, and previous recipient of Trailblazer funding. Here he programmes and produces events, from emerging artists seeking their break, to the likes of Groove Armada, Natty, and Haunt the Woods. Having bounced around the scene himself for the past decade as bassist with Land of the Giants, Tom now works across the music industry on productions such as WeOutHere, Rise Festival in the French Alps, and the Woodsies stage at Glastonbury; to name just a few. Outside of festival fields and the DMS office, Tom tours with production companies internationally, all the while attempting to maintain a retro camper-van that’s older than he is.

Pronouns: he/him

Tinie Tempah

Artist

Tinie Tempah joins the YMA 2025 judging panel as a pioneering artist and entrepreneur whose impact spans music, fashion, television and business. Rising to fame with his breakout single "Pass Out" and triple-platinum debut album Disc-Overy, Tinie has earned seven UK No.1 singles, placing him alongside the likes of Michael Jackson in the record books. Beyond his chart success, Tinie co-founded the influential label Disturbing London and launched Imhotep—a creative company spanning music, artist development, TV production, and fashion. He continues to shape UK culture through projects like Channel 4’s Extraordinary Extensions, his fashion brand What We Wear, and food venture RAPS, while mentoring emerging talent behind the scenes.

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Stephanie Cheape

Artist / BBC Presenter

Rising from the unforgettable landscapes of Scotland, Stephanie Cheape weaves stories into melodies that resonate with the heart. An influencer in the music realm with a mass following of a million across Instagram and TikTok, Stephanie has become a positive figure in Scotland leading to her debut as a BBC Introducing Presenter in Scotland putting forward all the best new music talent emerging from Scotland. 

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Billie Baier

Co-Head of Marketing at Spotify UK & Ireland

Billie Baier is Co-Head of Marketing at Spotify UK & Ireland, with over 15 years of experience championing music, fashion, and youth culture. At Spotify, she leads artist and playlist marketing, alongside major cultural partnerships like the BRITs, Glastonbury, Notting Hill Carnival, and Drumsheds. With a background at Red Bull and Dr. Martens, Billie has built a career creating authentic, youth-focused campaigns that connect brands to the next generation through music and subculture. She’s passionate about supporting emerging talent and building platforms where young voices can thrive.

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Kristin Jarrett

Equity & Impact Lead, Spotify

Kristin Jarrett is working to transform the audio industry through creativity, culture, and equity and uplift voices too often left unheard. Kristin designs strategies for Spotify’s Cultural Moments and Creator Equity Initiatives that help champion a more inclusive future for artists, creators, listeners, and employees. Kristin has launched new audio projects from underrepresented voices including the CultureCon Uncut podcast with Founder and CEO, Imani Ellis and the Open Doors Fund to preserve grassroots music spaces and nurture young talent in the UK. Through Spotify’s  NextGen program, she’s helped deliver over $1M in scholarships, creator tools, and programming to students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and in young creator communities, helping to usher in the next generation of artists and creators. 

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Hannah Ciotkowski

Marketing Manager – B2B, Ticketmaster UK

With over six years of experience in the entertainment industry, spanning music and global sport, Hannah plays a key role in shaping B2B marketing strategy at one of the world’s leading ticketing platforms. She leverages content and insights to strengthen partnerships with promoters, venues, and clients - driving business growth and enhancing Ticketmaster’s value across the live entertainment sector. Hannah began her career in the charity sector, delivering music and entertainment to hospitals and older people’s communities. This early experience cemented her belief in the power of music to uplift, connect, and make a difference. Alongside her industry role, Hannah is also a recording artist and songwriter, with multiple Top 10 tracks on Beatport and collaborations spanning acoustic, dance, and EDM. Her combined creative and commercial perspective gives her a unique, holistic view of the music landscape. As a Youth Music Awards judge, Hannah is passionate about championing emerging talent and celebrating the next generation of music creators.

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Patrick Healy

Director of Business Development at RSL Awards

Patrick has over 15 years experience working with grassroots music projects across Schools, Colleges and Training organisations around the UK. In his role as Director of Business Development at RSL Awards he aims to ensure that young people aiming to work in the creative industries have access to industry relevant qualifications that can support them on their journey. Alongside his work at RSL, Patrick has been a third division promoter, a fourth division music writer and now blogs about new music when he has time at electricsoundofjoy.com 

Pronouns: he/him

Ellie Prohan

DJ, Presenter, Radio Host

Hailing from West London, has quickly established herself as a prominent figure in the industry as a DJ, presenter, and radio host. A passionate music lover, talented DJ, and strong advocate for women, intersectionality, and marginalized communities, Ellie is now a leading name in the music industry. As she heads into 2025, Ellie is set to make waves as the new host of Ellie on Kiss, airing Monday to Thursday from 7-9pm. This flagship programme places the station’s music-loving audience at the heart of it all, curating the most listened-to, watched, streamed, and shared tracks that are currently trending.

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Olivia Stock

Staff Writer, DJ Mag

Olivia Stock is a music and culture journalist from Oxford, UK. For the past two years, she has worked for DJ Mag as their Digital Staff Writer, where she helms the magazine’s new music premiere section, curates DJ Mag’s new community resource directory — spotlighting opportunities for emerging musicians and industry professionals — and writes profiles on some of electronic music’s most promising new talents. In her spare time, she can be found stage left for her favourite DJs, roaming around art galleries, or foraging for the next big thing™.

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Joss Meek

Partner at Wired PR

Joss Meek is a Music & Talent Publicist and partner at Wired PR, with over 12 years of experience in the creative industry. She’s worked with some of the UK’s most influential artists, including AJ Tracey, Central Cee, and Chase & Status, helping shape their narratives and amplify their voices. Known for her grounded, people-first approach, Joss is passionate about championing talent, building long-term careers, and paying it forward- always happy to offer honest advice and industry insight.

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Nick Reilly

Content Editor, Rolling Stone UK

Nick Reilly is the Content Editor of Rolling Stone UK and a culture journalist with over a decade’s experience in the industry. He was part of the launch team that brought the iconic title to the UK in 2021 and now heads up online operations. In his time at the publication he’s interviewed everyone from Ozzy Osbourne to ABBA, Sharleen Spiteri to Stephen Graham. He is most likely to be found at a gig.

Pronouns: he/him