Pictured with the up-and-coming managers are (l-r) MMF CEO Annabella Coldrick, Azi Eftekhari, Accelerator Programme Manager Paul Bonham (MMF), MMF GM Jayne Stynes and Gemma Cropper.

Here you’ll find 20 happy British managers who’ve received funding to further develop their careers and support creative talent, thanks to the Music Managers Forum (MMF) and YouTube Music’s second Accelerator Programme. But that didn’t stop the lucky bunch from drowning their sorrows in a pub over the U.K.’s newly solitary status.

This year’s participants are drawn from across the U.K. and represent a range of 66 artists, songwriters and producers, from drill rappers and heavy rock bands to experimental instrumental groups and award-winning jazz ensembles. They include managers of acts shortlisted for the BRIT Awards Rising Star, the BBC Sound of 2020, BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Hot for 2020 and the Mercury Prize. Over half the group are based outside London, 40% are female, and 50% are from BAME backgrounds.

The 2020 Accelerator participants are:

Ameena Badley, The Ko-Lab (Smuggzy Ace, Mowgli, A Class)
Andrew Ellis, Samizdat (Immix Ensemble, Vessel, Rakhi Singh)
Ashley Perry, Ozone Music (Nafe Smallz, Jibsta)
Bobby Brown (Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn, Karl Benjamin)
Charlie Owen (Joy Crookes)
Christopher Grey, Problem Child (Nyge,Gibbo,Clonez,Paige Lihya)
Clare Wright (JFDR, ESYA,Sons of Raphael, Okandi)
Conor Ferris, Narrative Management (InVisions,Captives,IMMERSE)
Denise Allan, 677 Management (Glasvegas,Freakwave, Steph Johnston)
Earl Bailey, Frontlinzz (Pa Salieu,Mugun, Andrwea, Flava, Jam)
Gaius Mavila (House of Pharaohs, DamnShaq)
Jade Richardson, Jade-Inc (Khloe Anna, DameDame, Madara Beatz, Digital Mozart)
Jasmine Srih, Obscura Artists (KEYAH/BLU, BBZ, Martha, Sippin’ T, AZADI.mp3)
Jazz Rocket, 67 Artists (Yo Preston, Tinx, Tylr Rydr, Hakon, Xandr Fox & O.X.X.)
Kaiya Milan, Off Balance (Afronaut Zu, Steam Down, Ahnansé)
Louis Curran, From Concentrate Music (Quiet Man, Joy Anonymous, MEI)
Lyle Scougall, Mañana Music Management (Joesef, t e s t p r e s s)
Megan Burns, Tone Management (Palm Reader, T.A.R.L.D)
Pip Newby, Friends Vs Music (Honeyvale, Cherry Cherry, Al Groves, Ben Mclusky, Darren Lawson, Henry Brill, Rocky O’Reilly, Owen Lewis, Sean Oakley, Simon Byrt, St£fan, Steven A Griffiths)
Tim Hampson, Cannibal Management (Dream Wife, Out Girl, Willie J Healey, Dry Cleaning)

Photo credit: Andy Willsher