skip to main content

MU Deputy General Secretary Selected for Women in Music Roll of Honour

Our Deputy General Secretary, Naomi Pohl, has been selected for Music Week’s Women in Music Roll of Honour – which was published on Monday 19 October.

Published: 20 October 2020 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:31 PM
Photograph of MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl sat at a desk, she's holding a magazine but looking into the camera.
Naomi was nominated for all her work at the MU, but the main one covered in her nomination is the Safe Space scheme. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Music Week’s Women in Music Roll of Honour celebrates the achievements of female executives across every sector of the industry. There are 24 names on this year’s list, drawn from all sectors of the music industry, which they published on Monday 19 Octoberwww.musicweek.com/media/read/meet-the-2020-music-week-women-in-music-roll-of-honour/081573.

Naomi was nominated for all her work at the MU – including the Fix Streaming campaign – but the main one covered in her nomination is the Safe Space scheme.

Safe Space exists to provide a safe space for all musicians to share instances of sexism, sexual harassment and sexual abuse in the music industry. Naomi speaks about it in her interview with Music Week, which will be in their print edition this week or next week. She explained how:

“My biggest sense of achievement has to be from leading the MU’s Safe Space service. The service was set up in the early days of the #metoo movement to get a sense of the prevalence of sexual harassment in the industry. I have personally handled hundreds of reports, mostly from women, and have tried to offer support, validation and advice wherever possible.”

She also spoke about the impact of Covid-19 on mental health, discussing how, “we’ve really only scratched the surface of the mental health and well-being crisis in music,” and her top advice for successes, including tips on how “the best negotiations conclude with both parties feeling they got something they wanted and this applies to many situations in life and work.”

Read all about it

Keep an eye out for the print edition of Music Week to read the full interview. You can also listen to Naomi discussing Safe Space on a podcast released this week with Polyphony Arts – which will be available on podbean soon.

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

Martin, sat at the table of a formal dinner, dressed in a suit, smiling.

Tribute to Martin Bowen

Martin Bowen enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a professional bassoonist and was deeply committed to the Musicians' Union. After joining in 1973, he served with dedication as an MU Steward for BBC NOW. This tribute has been written by his brother-in-law, John.

Published: 06 August 2026

Read more about Tribute to Martin Bowen
Three wooden blocks with red icons painted on them.

MU Concerned by New EU Customs Fees for Artists Selling Merchandise

A new EU customs charge on low-value parcels is creating additional costs and administrative challenges for musicians selling merchandise directly to fans in Europe. The MU will work to ensure musicians affected by the new legislation are represented at a stakeholder consultation later this year.

Published: 31 July 2026

Read more about MU Concerned by New EU Customs Fees for Artists Selling Merchandise
A brick wall with the flags of Spain and Gibraltar painted on it, overlapping each other.

Spain-Gibraltar Border Changes: What the New Agreement Means for Musicians

New arrangements between Gibraltar and Spain will remove routine border checks for people crossing by land. While the agreement does not change existing rights to work in Spain or the EU, any time spent in Gibraltar will count towards musicians’ 90-day allowance for the Schengen area.

Published: 30 July 2026

Read more about Spain-Gibraltar Border Changes: What the New Agreement Means for Musicians
A pink sign being held up that says

Music Qualifications Reform Debated in House of Lords

Peers from across the political spectrum raised concerns about the Government’s proposed reforms to level 3 music qualifications, with ministers confirming that existing qualifications will remain in place until at least 2030 and announcing a new creative advisory board to help shape the reforms.

Published: 28 July 2026

Read more about Music Qualifications Reform Debated in House of Lords