Billboard UK and Beyond The Music announce the launch of Billboard UK's 40 Under 40, honouring and celebrating the UK music industry's rising stars and future leaders for the very first time at Beyond The Music's 2026 Opening Lunch, taking place Wednesday 7th October at MediaCity in Salford, Greater Manchester.
As the global music and media industries gather in Greater Manchester for Beyond The Music, the publication of the 40 Under 40 list and event will spotlight and uplift the young executives who are making waves within their fields and setting new standards of greatness.
Embodying Beyond The Music's ethos of protecting, preserving and expanding our industries for generations to come, the event will see the nominees honoured by Billboard UK connect and collaborate with powerhouse executives from the breadth of the Beyond The Music programme, including politicians, trade bodies, record labels, sync, film, gaming, media, broadcast and more.
In 2025 and 2026, Billboard UK launched its UK Power Players list recognising the market's high-achieving executives including CEOs, presidents and the difference-makers at major institutions. The list covers executives from major labels, indie companies, trade associations and beyond.
Nominations are open
The 40 Under 40 list will be compiled by Billboard UK editors and published in conjunction with the event. Nominations are now open and available for all to submit; see full details and eligibility here.
In a year that has seen both The BRIT Awards and the MOBOs make the move to Manchester, the addition of Billboard UK 40 Under 40 and the expansion of Beyond The Music into MediaCity, Salford only solidifies Greater Manchester's significance as a creative and cultural hub for the global music and media industries.
The UK's music industry remains a world-leading sector where ambition meets expertise. Billboard UK's inaugural 40 Under 40 List will honour rising and established executives whose innovative thinking and limitless vision are shaping the future of the market. We look forward to recognising this year's honourees at Beyond The Music 2026, where this shared ethos is fiercely championed.
Greater Manchester has always been a home to innovators and change makers, so it is an honour to be launching the first ever UK edition of Billboard UK's 40 Under 40. Billboard's commitment to championing the executives who are shaping the future of music aligns closely with Beyond The Music's ambition to create a more collaborative, ethical and sustainable industry. At a moment when music is once again central to Manchester's global story, with the city becoming home to the likes of the BRIT Awards and the MOBOs, it feels more important and powerful than ever to welcome an event that acknowledges, celebrates and empowers the next generation. We couldn't be happier to welcome these extraordinary leaders to Manchester and shine a light on the people actively changing the future of our industry.
The 40 Under 40 event at Beyond The Music will take place at MediaCity on Wednesday 7th October. Join the waitlist for the event as part of your Delegate Pass purchase. The day then opens into a wider cross-creative industries networking session for all Beyond The Music delegate ticket holders.