#RSDUnsigned Competition 2024

Nina Nesbitt - Recording artist

Nina Nesbitt is a Scottish singer-songwriter, celebrated for her single "Stay Out," which peaked at No. 21 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 11 on the Scottish Singles Chart in April 2013, and has achieved two top 40 singles.

Karen Emanuel – Key Production Group CEO and founder

Karen started out in the music business by booking bands and DJ-ing at Leeds University. In the late 80s, she took a job at Rough Trade Distribution, climbing the ladder in an overwhelmingly male dominated sector by asking the right questions and taking every opportunity to learn the numbers side of the business. In 1990, she used a redundancy pay-out to start Key Production which still specialises in the production and manufacture of CDs, DVDs, vinyl records and beautifully art-worked bespoke packaging for music and other industries. Through organic growth and acquisitions, Key is a leader in its field, employing over 60 people at four offices in the UK and Europe. Sustainability is a pillar of Key’s ethos. Karen has made it a priority to continue to research the best practice and share knowledge in this area, placing her as an industry leader. Karen is an advisor to Evolution Vinyl, part of the Vinyl Alliance, and on the advisory board of The Centre for Sustainable Design and Women in Vinyl. She has also contributed to the Impala vinyl pressing group and AIM Climate Action Group. In 2007, whilst on holiday in Nicaragua, Karen saw a sign proclaiming “Island for Sale.” Three years later sees her having built and opened www.jicaroisland.com a luxury sustainable hotel created with Rainforest Alliance certificated wood. Karen’s awards include the NatWest Everywoman Award, Women in Music Roll of Honour and Great British Businesswoman. In her “spare” time, Karen mentors students, talks and volunteers at schools and universities and helps the charity www.migrateart.com. Karen has also set up a CIC (Community Interest Company) called Moving the Needle. MTNnow is an educational initiative to ensure more women achieve life long careers in the Music Industry.

Julie Weir - Sony Music

Julie Weir is a seasoned music industry professional with extensive experience working with artists at all levels, from emerging talent to internationally acclaimed acts. She has led successful marketing and promotion campaigns across the UK, Europe and globally, including sold-out arena tours, festival headliners, top 10 singles, and a number 1 album. Julie was inducted into the inaugural Music Week Women in Music Roll of Honour, served on the AIM board, and was nominated for AIM Entrepreneur of the Year awards while leading Visible Noise. Since 1998 Julie has run companies such as Visible Noise and Wiseblood Management before joining Sony Music in 2016 as Music for Nations Director.

Gary Smith - Truck Record Store

Gary Smith started working in music retail in 1982 at an East Midlands independent record shop and has still not escaped. Moving on to Our Price in 1985 the week before Live Aid, Gary worked in numerous stores and whilst in it’s Virgin / Our Price guise was crowned Virgin Manager Of the Year in 1999. Gary was eventually the music buyer for Sanity until its demise in 2004. That year Gary started his own independent record shop ‘Rapture’ which opened in June 2004. Now known as Truck there are stores in Witney and Oxford. Gary thinks he’s listened to 30,000 albums in this time but couldn’t be sure.