About us

Music is incredible. It consoles us, makes us laugh, love, cry, and feel things more intensely.

That’s pretty special, and working in music can be an amazing experience. But it can also be challenging.

Fast-paced and demanding projects, long and irregular hours, competitive environments and the financial pressures of freelancing. All this and more can take its toll on mental health.

Music Minds Matter is here to help, supporting everyone who works in music. Whether you’re on the stage, behind the scenes, on the road, in an office or in the studio, we’re here for you.

  • Our helpline provides in-the-moment emotional support.

  • Our resources give you the tools and knowledge to stay well.

  • We signpost to service providers to get you the right support as quickly as possible.

  • Our workshops and events connect people with one another to build resilience and wellness.

  • We show people new ways to help others in music more effectively.

Through all this, we are creating a healthier music community and supporting everyone who keeps the music playing.

Our trustees

  • Cliff is Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of its Nomination Committee. 

    He is partner at Lewis Silkin LLP and founded and leads its Media & Entertainment group and its complementary advisory business, Eleven. 

    He advises major names in media, entertainment and technology. He has worked in and around the music industry for over 25 years, holding senior roles at Warner Music UK and Capital (now Global) Radio before joining Lewis Silkin in 2006 as a partner.

    Cliff has significant experience in the world of charities in the creative industries with experience as a former company secretary to Capital Radio’s Charities and as a former Trustee of Sound & Music.

  • Melanie is Chief Commercial Officer at Audoo – the music tech company revolutionising public performance royalty reporting through improved music recognition data. Previously Mel worked at Facebook as the International Head of Music Publishing Partnerships, EMI Music Publishing and Sony ATV. Melanie is also a current board trustee for The Ivors Academy Trust.

  • Reni is currently Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs at Warner Music International and Co-Chair of their Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic employee resource group.

  • With over 20 years’ experience, she has championed innovation, artist empowerment and systemic change across the industry. Sammy brings strategic insight and a deep understanding of the challenges facing music professionals today, aligning closely with Music Minds Matter’s mission to support the mental wellbeing of everyone working in music.

  • Jim Benner is the Global Music Lead of War Child.

    He joined War Child UK in 2013 and helps the charity and its partners to use music-related fundraising to secure millions of pounds in funding for children affected by conflict.

    In the UK, he played a key role in launching War Child’s biggest annual fundraisers – the Winter Wassail gala fundraiser (with Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford) and the flagship BRITs Week series, securing it as a fixture in the UK music industry.

  • Stephen is an expert in delivering executive coaching, having achieved in​10,000 hours of experience. He had his own mental health challenge, which was the catalyst to his training for nine years as a Person-Centred Counsellor and Gestalt Psychotherapist. This gives him a unique insight into mental health and the opportunity to contribute to the charity and speak from personal experience.

  • Juliette has over 23 years’ experience in telecommunications. Media and not-for-profit organisations with experience in HR Strategy, Coaching and Mentoring, Training and Leadership Development, Recruitment and Retention, Performance Management, Compensation and Benefits, Wellbeing, Engagement and Inclusivity.

  • Paul has over 20 years’ experience in entertainment retail including time as Head of Music for Entertainment UK. He began his Amazon career in the physical music team, taking on the category leader role for physical music and DVD, before moving to digital music to oversee the launch of two Amazon Music streaming services. 

  • Louisa’s background is predominantly in the retail industry. Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant, she moved to her first public company finance role in 1989.

    In 2016 she moved into charity finance as CCO and Company Secretary of a nationwide care organisation and is currently with the Bristol Old Vic & Theatre Royal Trust as Finance Director.

  • Gareth holds over 10 years of experience in marketing across technology and music, and is currently Global Head of B2B Marketing at FUGA. Gareth has previously worked at TuneCore as head of UK, Australia and New Zealand.

  • HR Director, United Talent Agency.