Research
Evidence-led analysis of power, representation, and decision-making in the music industry
Research Purpose
Women in CTRL’s research examines how power operates across the music industry, with a focus on leadership, governance, and decision-making structures.
The organisation exists to address a persistent gap between stated commitments to equity and the realities of who holds authority, influence, and control at senior and board level.
Research provides the evidence base needed to move conversations about representation beyond intention and towards accountability. This work is designed to inform leadership practice, organisational governance, and sector-wide policy discussions.
Seat at the Table
SATT provides data-driven analysis of representation and governance across the UK music industry, with a specific focus on leadership teams, boards, and decision-making bodies. The research examines patterns of inclusion and exclusion, structural barriers to progression, and the distribution of power across organisations.
Seat at the Table is produced as an ongoing programme of work rather than a one-off publication. Each edition builds on previous findings to track change over time and to support more informed, accountable leadership decision-making.
What the research covers
Women in CTRL’s research focuses on:
• Leadership and board composition
• Governance and decision-making structures
• Representation at senior and executive level
• Progression pathways and barriers to leadership
• Accountability mechanisms within organisations
Research Approach
Women in CTRL’s research approach combines quantitative and qualitative methods to examine leadership representation and governance across the music industry.
This includes:
• data collection and analysis
• desk research and sector mapping
• qualitative insight from industry practice
From Research to Practice
Research findings are translated into practical frameworks and recommendations that support organisational change.
Women in CTRL’s work focuses on how evidence can inform leadership decision-making, governance processes, and accountability structures within different organisational contexts.
Women in CTRL’s research has been used to:
• inform board-level discussions
• support organisational review and reflection
• shape leadership development approaches
• contribute to sector-wide conversations on governance and accountability
Read the research
