University of Gloucestershire alumnus wins prestigious national music award

A University of Gloucestershire alumnus has won an award at the prestigious Youth Music Awards, recognising his outstanding work in making music accessible to young people across the county.

Charlie Baxter, a lifelong Gloucestershire resident and Popular Music graduate, was named the Most Inspirational Music Leader at the Youth Music Awards in October. The annual event celebrates forward-thinking people and projects shaping the future of music.

Currently working as a Senior Music Leader at The Music Works in Gloucester, Charlie’s dedication to making music accessible to young people through leading sessions for individuals with additional needs was recognised at the awards ceremony.

In this role, Charlie hosts a range of sessions from teaching instruments to young neurodiverse people to pushing the boundaries of accessible technology, enabling people with complex needs to access music technology performance and DJing opportunities.

Having discovered his passion for music at the age of 12, Charlie threw himself into music, finding creativity and expression as a way to navigate the significant health challenges he faced growing up. He went on to study Popular Music at University of Gloucestershire and since graduating in 2010, Charlie has had a successful career in the music industry.

The Youth Music Awards, held at Troxy, London, were judged by a panel of industry experts, which this year included musician Tinie Tempah. The annual awards ceremony champions the talent, creativity, and spirit of UK grassroots music.

Charlie Baxter said: “Winning the award was a total shock! It was more than enough for me to be nominated in the first place. The event was filled with incredibly inspiring people, and when my name was read out it took me several moments to recognise it was actually me!

“Once the shock settled down and I was able to process what this win meant, I couldn’t be more grateful. The Music Works is full of absolute rockstars and together we are making a tangible difference to the lives of young people in Gloucestershire.

“I am grateful to University of Gloucestershire for giving me the foundation and confidence to build a career doing what I love. The highlight of my time at the University was meeting like-minded individuals, getting access to professional studio spaces, and being in an environment where I was encouraged to explore, create, and find my own voice in music.”

Main Image: Charlie Baxter at the Youth Music Awards 2025 (photo credit: Katie Ho)