UoG graduates and staff celebrate success at UK Music awards

Two University of Gloucestershire graduates and a Music Business lecturer have been recognised at a prestigious ceremony celebrating excellence in the music industry – including a big win in the top award category.

Emily Pugh (BA (Hons) Music Business), a freelance professional in live music and festivals, was named the winner of the 2024 UK Music Outstanding Music Academy Partnership (MAP) Graduate Award.

Jacob Simmons (BA (Hons) Popular Music) received a Special Mention in the same category at the ceremony at Sound City in London.

Tom Soper, Academic Course Leader for Music Business, was the runner-up in the MAP Tutor of the Year Award in recognition of his work to support students’ academic and professional development.

The awards – known as the OMGs – celebrate students and staff from MAP institutions who have excelled in areas related to the music industry, such as research, recording, performance, business success or community work.

Emily is the second former University student to win the Outstanding Music Graduate Award since the University joined the partnership in 2021, with Rebecca Rees (BA (Hons) Music Business) picking up the award three years ago.

Two University graduates have also finished as a runner-up – Kane Peters (2021) and Laura James (2023).

In winning the award, presented by singer-songwriter Låpsley, Emily has been invited to join UK Music’s Futures Group, which was established in 2016 to give a platform to the next generation of future leaders in the industry.

Emily said: “Throughout my time studying Music Business, I was given so many incredible opportunities to gain experience and develop my skills, whether that was through projects internally or volunteering at local festivals and events.

“I’m really honoured to be recognised for the OMGs as it gives me a chance to reflect on how far I have come since graduating in 2021 and what I have been able to achieve in my career so far.”

Trailblazer in live events

Paying tribute to Emily’s achievement, Tom Soper said: “It’s a delight to see Emily honoured nationally for her work as a trailblazer in live events.

“It was extraordinary when she promoted a multi-venue UK tour for an all-female DJ collective for her third-year major project and launched straight out of lockdown – talk about meeting a challenge.

“It is also great to see another graduate of ours showing the confidence and self-belief to go fully freelance so soon after graduation.”