More Speakers Announced for AIM Connected2026

9am to 7pm, Thursday 10th September • Rich Mix, London

AIM Connected’s popular ‘Deep Dives’ return as limited capacity, pre-booked sessions. Buy your ticket now to secure a space (details below). New speakers from Arts Council England, Amazon Music, AudioSalad, Cargo, Curve, Meta, Music Ally, MUSO, ORCA, Warp Records, WIN and more.

We can now announce the near-final programming details for AIM Connected, the UK’s flagship independent music conference and networking event.

We have plenty of new sessions to share, which take place across three rooms of programming, including ‘The Future of Independence’, which is moderated by AIM CEO Gee Davy, and will feature AudioSalad CEO Iain Catling, WIN CEO Noemí Planas and ORCA Executive Director Patrick Clifton. Drawing on expertise spanning business, advocacy, finance and technology, this panel will examine some of the key opportunities and risks facing the sector today and will look at how independents can continue to secure visibility, retain value and build sustainably into the long term.

AI is still firmly on the industry agenda this year — and who better to help us parse the thorny issues surrounding the collision of humans and machines than Music Ally Head of InsightsStuart Dredge, who will deliver ‘AI, Music and Humans: Where Do We Go from Here?’ Dredge has covered seemingly every recent development in the overlap between big tech and music and will bring exceptional critical insight (and even some humour?) to this controversial topic. This is in addition to the previously announced session ‘AI Is Coming for Your Job (Or Is It?)’, which takes a different perspective by looking at how independent workforces are addressing AI’s opportunities and threats.

Elsewhere, Curve Royalty Systems CEO Richard Leach will lead a Strong Opinion session called ‘The Curve Perspective: Independence in an Interdependent Industry’, a session where Richard will share his unique vantage point gained from his extensive work with independents.

Merlin will present ‘Unlocking Global Reach: Data Strategies for Independent Success’. Exploring how independents can turn data into global success, the session will start with a presentation from the Merlin Insights team (represented here by Marta de la Hoz and Martin Vovk) focussing on how to transform data into actionable insights. This will then be followed by a panel discussion featuring Involved Group Head of Distribution & Rights Management David Lapushner, Republic of Music Head of Insights and Studio Partnerships Robyn Edwards and Domino Head of Digital Partnerships and AnalyticsRachel Buswell, who will share how their businesses are using data to inform campaigns and strategies.

For those of you with an interest in fraud- and slop-busting, new names have been added to ‘You Wouldn’t Steal a Handbag: Combatting Fraud and Slop’, which will now feature Cargo Independent Distributions Projects lead Kameil Sattar along with Warp Records Head of Operations Caroline Hansen and MUSO CEO Andy Chatterley.

The previously announced panel ‘Thinking Global: International Release Strategies in a Borderless Market’, will look at how businesses can take a ‘glocalised’ approach to international trade; whilst Meme Records Founder and CEO Frank Hamilton is now set to join Chess Club Records Head of Marketing and Label Operations Jade Johnston on ‘The Fangirl Never Dies’ to discuss how to build and engage fan communities.

Key Partner Deep Dives - Further Details

AIM Connected’s popular ‘Deep Dive’ sessions return!  Ticket buyers can sign up to these exclusive sessions where capacity is limited to allow for active participation. Sign-up details will be emailed following ticket purchase. Get your ticket today to secure a space!

AIM Connected’s Deep Dive sessions — brought to you by Luminate, SOMA, Amazon Music, Meta and Arts Council England — are instructive sessions where AIM’s key partners drill down into a specific area close to their business, offering fresh, up-to-date and, of course, deepinsights into some crucial areas for your business.

SOMA’s session, ‘Content, Community and Cash Money’, will feature SOMA Co-FounderSean Fay, Modern Sky Label Manager Esme O’Keeffe, Something Something CEO and Founder Liam James Ward and Laylo Director of Artists & Live Events EMEA Taz Sharp, and aims to shed light on how artists can achieve multi-channel success across organic social media content, direct-to-fan marketing and paid advertising.

For those needing more clarity on the new government fund developed specifically for record labels and other music businesses, there will be a session from Arts Council England Relationship & Development Manager Han Deeble, which will explain how music SMEs and entrepreneurs can access the new £45M Music Growth Package.

This is in addition to sessions from Amazon Music, where Head of Indies Mitch Page will be joined by Planet Fans Managing Director Ella Hartley to dissect the value of pre-sale ticket access for super fans; and META, where Music Label Partnerships lead Josh Nicollwill discuss how Meta’s platforms can turn everyday listeners into superfans.

Finally, Luminate will share their latest in-depth music industry data insights.

Networking and Refreshments

Attendees should arrive from 9am to enjoy an industry breakfast-time networking hour, complete with complimentary tea and coffee, to power you up for a full-day conference. There will be a ‘finger food’ working lunch later in the day to ensure your brains are refuelled for an educational and thought-provoking afternoon. Additionally, there will be ample opportunity to rub shoulders and make new connections with fellow attendees and speakers throughout the day, including in our central networking and marketplace area where the coffee hour, lunch and drinks reception will  take place. There are many spaces in the building and nearby to have in-depth one-on-ones — just ask AIM team members for information about this on the day.

Networking Drinks Sponsored by Audiosalad

As well as networking opportunities throughout the day, there will be a drinks reception at the end, generously sponsored by AudioSalad — your opportunity to mix with the crowd of high-calibre attendees that make AIM Connectedsuch a vibrant and inspiring event.

Business Marketplace

Key music industry businesses and AIM partners will be present in the networking area where they will host market tables promoting their businesses and services. This is an opportunity for you to scope out partnerships, make new connections with relevant businesses and encounter new ideas, technologies and business models.

About AIM Connected

AIM Connected is the UK’s premiere independent music conference and networking event. It is where the brightest minds come together to forge connections, exchange ideas and discuss the current state of the music industry. It’s your chance to connect with a truly global community of music industry professionals at the forefront of modern music. Grab a ticket today and we promise you’ll walk away with new insights, new plans and new connections.

AIM Connected is presented by the Association of Independent Music (AIM), the not-for-profit trade body exclusively representing the UK’s independent music sector. Find out more about AIM, and AIM membership, HERE.