Reflections on Leadership, Legacy and What Comes Next

After nearly a decade as CEO of Music Mark, Bridget Whyte reflected at the Summer Summit on what brought her here, what she has learned, and the advice she wanted to pass on to Jennifer McKie as she takes up the role in mid-August.

Taking the next step

Applying to become CEO of Music Mark in 2017 felt like the logical next step in my career. In truth, I had thought it might have been a good role for me as far back as 2012, when Virginia took over. I did not realise the job was being advertised then, but I promised myself that if it came up again, I would apply. So when the opportunity returned, I did.

I actually began as Interim CEO on 31 May 2017, as Jem left, and I remember warning James Dickinson, who was Chair at the time, that I intended to apply for the substantive role. Even with that sense of readiness, there was nervousness.

The handover was limited to just two half days, and very quickly I lost my No. 2, James Devaney, to teacher training. Sarah King, the other member of the team at the time, was only a couple of weeks into her role. It was, to put it mildly, a steep learning curve.

Two things from my first day still stand out. Jem told me I needed to follow and retweet members, and she handed me a weighty tome from the National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment, telling me I needed to sort out the problem with child licensing. The Twitter task quickly became impossible unless it was all I did all day, but James leaving created the opportunity to appoint a Communications and Marketing Manager, which helped us improve how we spoke with members and shared our work more widely. Child licensing has remained a regular item on my to-do list, but I hope the advice and support we have given to the membership and the DfE over the years has helped. I also believe there is change on the horizon, so perhaps it will not sit on the next CEO’s list for quite so long.

One thing I would say to anyone stepping into a CEO role is this: value the people around you. Your team of course, but just as importantly for Music Mark is the membership. Trustees, the Advisory Committee and the wider membership guide its CEO towards what needs doing, what support is needed, and where Music Mark can make the greatest difference.

What I am most proud of

When I look back, some of the best moments across 9 years, the times when I have felt proud of our work, have come through our annual conferences. Each year, standing on stage at the start of two days to welcome everyone felt like a real achievement because so much work had gone into reaching that point.

The Sheffield conference remains especially vivid. What began as an idea for a fanfare became a wonderful 15-minute performance in the grand setting of Cutlers’ Hall. I remember one young pupil, playing a pBuzz on stage, saying, ‘I don’t belong in a place like this.’ That pupil went on to learn the tuba playing in Sheffield Music Service ensembles, and has just got an unconditional offer to go to Oxford. That to me says so much about the power of these moments.

Another highlight was moving our conference online in 2020. To deliver such a slick day of presentations and keynotes, with YolanDa Brown as host and Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason as a keynote, was extraordinary. I still remember James Dickinson’s welcome video, and the countdown film showing the crew setting up the studio. It turned the start of the day into something memorable in itself. I also discovered that I could present to camera with an autocue.

For all its difficulties, the pandemic brought moments of clarity. We pivoted online quickly, and it became obvious that Music Mark was both valued and needed. Gary’s Music Unlocked reports were invaluable, and I remain so grateful for the work he did over those two years for us (and still does as a trusted consultant supporting the hub network). We ran training and events, including a memorable online inset day for more than 3,000 teachers in autumn 2020, launched Big Meets, and even hosted online tea-and-chat socials. Those moments helped bring the sector together, and much of our support and meeting culture remains online because it allows colleagues to connect so effectively.

Disasters, surprises and lessons learned

Of course, there were disasters and surprises too. At my first conference, I tripped as I jumped onto the stage to thank the performers who had given us a concert before dinner. It was not quite the first impression I had hoped to make.

Then there was the ‘Snow Summit’: our Spring Summit in 2018, which I had decided to move out of London. We booked Birmingham Town Hall, planned a day focused on a vision for a new national plan for music education in England, and more than 120 people booked to attend. Then the weather warnings began. By the night before, there was a red warning for snow in some parts of the country. At around 8am on the day, we made the difficult decision to tell people not to travel. I announced that the event was cancelled, but some people had already travelled to Birmingham, the venue was available, and there was not actually much snow in the city. So we went ahead with around 50 people, watched the weather carefully, stopped at lunchtime so people could try to get home, and donated the extra food to a local shelter.

Keeping the plates spinning

The hardest part of leadership over the years though has probably been keeping the plates spinning. There are always many challenges: some universal, others specific to individual organisations or small groups. Every day can look different, and plans can quickly be upended as the team and I refocus on what we can do to help when another problem is reported or policy decision made.

I do not have a magic wand, and often I have been just as frustrated as others by a decision or policy. But in this role, part of the work is to calm colleagues, take a measured approach, and do what is possible. I hope members understand that Music Mark cannot always solve every problem or remove every challenge, but that we will always do all we can. I’m proud of the fact that Music Mark has developed a good relationship with government and officials over the years. I would say that we are now seen as a trusted source: one they will listen to, consult, and speak with openly and honestly.

Looking ahead, I am not sure that one single policy that will make the difference. This does seem to be a moment of change for music education, and the accumulated policy shifts across the nations will have an impact. The question however is how much. I would love to think it might be seismic, but I fear it is unlikely to be.

There is a growing recognition of the value of creative arts subjects and of studying music both in and beyond the classroom. But more still needs to be done. Politicians, school leaders and parents need to understand the value of music more fully. With that understanding, hopefully the right investment will be expected and made, helping to supercharge a sector that is ready, able and willing.

Legacy, family and the power of music teachers

I’ve had so many wonderful messages as I’ve prepared to leave, with a number talking about how much I have done for the sector. Legacy is a big word however, and I am not always comfortable taking credit, especially when Music Mark is such a team effort. Indeed one of the mottos I’ve lived by throughout my career is Harry S. Truman’s quote: “It is amazing what you can achieve if you do not care who gets the credit.” We did it together, me, the team, the membership and the wider sector! We’ve kept things going so that children and young people could have a great music education.

If we’re going to talk about legacy, I’d rather talk about our wonderful music teacher workforce.

My late father has been very much part of my time at Music Mark. I have often reflected on his career as a woodwind teacher within Hampshire Music Service, and members may have heard me talk about him or read blogs where he appeared often. But what is more special is that I have also had him reflected back to me by colleagues who worked with him or were taught by him. That is a legacy. Meeting someone who talks about the inspiration my dad gave them reminds me how important music teachers are: how many lives they influence and how many futures they help shape.

When we launched the Demos report last spring, I sat on a panel and heard Anna Sabine MP talk about how her teacher encouraged her to take up the bassoon. I knew she was talking about my dad. If he were still alive, I know he would be proud of me, even if he might not quite believe I was all grown up doing a grown-up job. But I think he would be even prouder to know how many others he influenced, including Anna.

Three words for what comes next

As I reflect on my 9 years I think I would want to pass on three words Jennifer McKie might live by as she takes over:

Listen

Team

Trust

Listen more than you speak, especially at the start. The team, Trustees, Advisory Committee, membership and wider sector all have knowledge that can help shape decisions, plans and the right course of action. Every day is a school day, even in the school holidays, and I have learned so much from so many people. You will need a filter to decide what to take on board, but listening is always vital in this job.

Lean on and value your team. When I applied for the role, I felt I probably I had most of the skills and knowledge listed within the job description. The big unknown was whether I could lead a team, line manage staff. I had been a freelance consultant for more than 25 years, working with teams but alongside them not leading them. However, the Music Mark team, past and present, have constantly made me look good! They are amazing, with so much knowledge and so many skills, and they are the biggest asset any CEO has in getting it right. They are your secret weapon!

And finally, trust your instincts. I know I am leaving Music Mark in safe hands, and I know you will move the charity forward. That you’ve got this!

Closing reflection

Looking back, I am grateful for the people, the challenges, the surprises and the shared purpose that have shaped my time at Music Mark. The work has never been about one person. It has always been about the team, the members, the wider sector and the belief that music education changes lives. That belief remains with me as strong as ever and I feel certain it will remain at the heart of Music Mark’s work going forward too.