Meet Music Mark’s New CEO – Jennifer McKie
2nd September 2026
As Music Mark enters a new chapter, we sat down with our new Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer McKie, to find out how she’s settling into the role and hear more about her journey in music education. Drawing on nearly two decades of leadership in music education, Jennifer brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to young people, and an ambitious vision for the future of our sector.
What has it been like stepping into the role of CEO?
It’s been a whirlwind since I started as CEO of Music Mark on 17th August, but I’ve been made to feel incredibly welcome by both the Music Mark team and members across the UK.
After 19 years leading Lincolnshire Music Service and Music Hub, stepping into this role felt like a significant new chapter. I’d be lying if I said there weren’t some nerves, but those quickly disappeared. I’ve hit the ground running, and I’m absolutely loving it!
The move to Music Mark represents an exciting opportunity to build on years of experience while working on a national scale to support and champion music education across the UK.
Why Music Mark? And what excites you most as you begin this new chapter?
The motivation for taking on the role is deeply personal. Learning a musical instrument wasn’t a tradition in my family, nor had it been for generations before me. I was fortunate to grow up in a community which was really musical, and where my interests were recognised and nurtured. But access to music should never depend on luck.
That experience continues to shape my belief that every child and young person deserves regular, meaningful access to music. As a sector, and as CEO of Music Mark, we have a collective responsibility to create those opportunities and conditions for all children and young people. That’s at the heart of everything we want to achieve.
What excites me most is the collective commitment that exists across our membership and the wider sector. It gives me confidence that, if we keep working together and keep children and young people at the centre, the future of music education can be stronger, more inclusive and more ambitious.
What achievement are you most proud of in your career so far?
Reflecting on a career spent in music education, I’m most proud of the opportunities I’ve helped create for children and young people, particularly those who may not otherwise have had access to them.
From establishing a gospel choir in my very first teaching role, to taking 500 young musicians from Lincolnshire to perform Beyoncé’s music at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Music for Youth Proms. These experiences can be life-changing for everyone involved. They open young people’s eyes to a world they may not have seen before and help them develop life skills, whatever path they choose to take in life. Being part of creating those moments has been a privilege throughout my career.
What have your first 2 weeks in the role looked like?
The schedule has already been packed, and I can hardly believe it’s only been two weeks!
Within my first 72 hours, I’d attended a full Music Mark team meeting, met with colleagues from the Department for Education, and spent two days in Lincoln with outgoing CEO Bridget Whyte as part of a thorough handover, joined in part by Music Mark Chair Peter Smalley.
As Bridget signed off at the end of the first week, it was a strange feeling for the whole team. As I stepped into the role, I could hear her saying, “You’ve got this!”
That confidence has been matched by the support and dedication of the Music Mark team. I’ve joined an experienced, passionate and committed team who care deeply about our members and about music education. Their warmth, expertise and energy have made an enormous difference as I’ve settled into the role.
What’s next?
In the coming weeks, I’ll travel the length and breadth of the country to increase my knowledge further of the Membership, which is a real privilege. I’ll be meeting colleagues, hearing about their work, and learning more about the challenges and opportunities they face.
My diary already includes meetings with Arts Council England, colleagues from Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, as well as attending the South Yorkshire Hub Conference. These conversations remind me of how truly incredible the music education sector is, and I can’t wait to meet everyone.
A Message to Members
Music Mark will continue to champion high-quality music education for all children and young people. The next chapter will be about working together, making sure the sector’s voice is heard, and being ambitious about what we can achieve. Listening to our members, building strong partnerships and keeping young people at the centre of what we do will be key. There’s a lot to look forward to, and I’m excited about what we can achieve together.
To hear more about Jennifer’s vision for Music Mark, join us at the Music Mark Conference 2026, in Liverpool.
