Tomi Oyewumi joins PPL as Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Partner

Tomi Oyewumi has joined UK-based collective management organisation PPL as Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Partner.

The newly-created role will support PPL in delivering its long-term strategy of addressing EDI issues within the company and the wider music industry.

Oyewumi will lead the day-to-day actions needed to ensure PPL successfully achieves its pledge to deliver five calls to action set out by the Black Music Coalition, which launched in June 2020, as well as the UK Music Diversity Taskforce Ten-Point Plan.

She will report to Kate Reilly, Director of People and Organisational Development, and work closely with her and PPL’s Diversity Forum.

The Forum was set up by PPL in June 2020, and was described to MBW as “an open remit to suggest ideas for change and to challenge existing processes and structures,” by PPL CEO Peter Leathem in September.

Oyewumi joins PPL from Heineken, where she was Collaboration Manager and Inclusion and Diversity Taskforce Lead.

There, she played a pivotal role in designing and shaping company policies that reinforce diversity in the workplace, says PPL.

That included advising on policies on stereotyping, bias and harassment, managing the Race and Ethnicity Task Force, and supporting initiatives focusing on women in leadership and health and wellbeing.

Oyewumi was also a member of the brand advisory panel at ADD PSALTS, a retail brand accelerator which provides black-owned brands with industry expertise in order to launch them in the UK market.

“This is the legacy I want to leave behind, a legacy of positive change and equity.”

Tomi Oyewumi

Tomi Oyewumi said: “I am delighted and proud to be joining PPL as their EDI Partner, I believe there is nothing more important than the impact you have on others.

“This is the legacy I want to leave behind, a legacy of positive change and equity.”

“I am delighted that Tomi has joined PPL.”

Kate Reilly, PPL

Kate Reilly said: “I am delighted that Tomi has joined PPL.

“Her experience in developing more equitable, diverse and inclusive organisations will be crucial to PPL as we work towards fulfilling our pledges to our staff and the wider industry.

“We have already made progress and I look forward to working with Tomi to continue these efforts.”

“Tomi will play a crucial role in ensuring PPL is a place of work that welcomes and champions anyone.”

Peter Leathem, PPL

Peter Leathem added: “I want to welcome Tomi to PPL and thank her for joining us at such an important time for our industry.

“The desire for positive change, from all corners of the music ecosystem, is an encouraging sign and Tomi will play a crucial role in ensuring PPL is a place of work that welcomes and champions anyone, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, age, disability, background or any other protected characteristic.

“Over the past year we have introduced a number of policies and initiatives and made positive strides to achieving our goals, but there is still much more we need to do. I am excited to work with Tomi to drive forward this positive change.”Music Business Worldwide