RICHARD ANTWI SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCES SECOND AWARD IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSAL MUSIC UK: IDRIS GREEN-HOLDER IS SECOND SCHOLAR
Thursday, 16th September 2021 The Richard Antwi Scholarship, in conjunction with the University of Westminster, announced today that it has partnered with Universal Music UK to make an additional award for 2021, increasing its scope in supporting diverse future industry leaders with a second award that will go to Idris Green-Holder
Following the recent announcement of Shanice Edwards as the 2021 recipient of the Richard Antwi Scholarship, the partnership with Universal Music UK will see Idris Green-Holder receive a second Richard Antwi Scholarship award for 2021, becoming the fourth RAS recipient.
Universal Music UK will fund the second scholarship award, that will see Idris Green-Holder awarded a full scholarship for a place on University of Westminster’s highly regarded Music Business Management MA course, before joining Universal Music UK Graduate Programme as Richard Antwi Graduate Programme Executive.
Idris Green-Holder was born and raised in Handsworth Birmingham, from Jamaican heritage. He studied Social Work at University Of West London, with an initial dream to work within the mental health sector. For 5 years he has worked within the social care industry, working with vulnerable young people and project management in the housing sector. Two years ago, he started a music management company, managing black music artists from the West Midlands. With a lifelong passion for music and A&R, the career pivot provided the confirmation that he needed to really pursue his purpose with passion.
After a hiatus in 2020, the Richard Antwi Scholarship has seen an increasing number of high quality applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, and the partnership with Universal Music UK allows the scholarship to extend its reach and impact with funding to support an extremely talented and exceptional second scholar.
Both prestigious awards comprise full course fees; a full bursary of £10,400; mentorship from both the RAS Team and Universal Music UK internal resources; professional executive coaching and support on a career pathway into the industry via work placements aligned with the scholar’s professional focus, skills and aspirations.
The Richard Antwi Scholarship was founded in 2016 by friends and family, as a response to the sudden death of hugely respected industry lawyer, manager and entrepreneur, Richard Antwi, who had contributed to the Music Business Management MA course on numerous occasions as a guest lecturer. It is an annual award, which found its first scholar in 2018. The scholarship is now funded by all three UK major record labels, music publishers, and several of the top independent music companies and music law firms: Sony Music UK, Universal Music UK, Warner Music UK, Sony Music Publishing, XL Records, Beggars Group, Young, Clintons, Hoare Associates and Modest!
The University of Westminster Music Business Management MA course acts as a bridge between academic study, research, and the professional world of music business; preparing students to become the next generation of music industry leaders and entrepreneurs. Previous scholars include inaugural recipient Jojo Mukeza, Esther Bokuma (aka Estee Blu) and Daniel Beckley, all of whom are now placed within the industry.
Phillip Antwi said “It’s a wonderful milestone for Richard’s scholarship to partner with Universal Music UK to bring through the second scholar this year. With thanks to Universal Music UK and congratulations to Idris, he hugely impressed the team and Universal Music UK with his passion, creativity and ambition. Returning to education will be a vital next step for Idris via the University Of Westminster Music Business MA and Universal Music UK will be a fitting home for this future industry leader as he continues his career path.
Idris Green-Holder said "I've always been deeply in love with music. I think that has a lot to do with my culture and my upbringing. The way music makes me feel and the places it takes me to. Especially in my adult life, it’s helped to keep me sane and inspired and encouraged my creativity. Having dyslexia, the education system in general has been challenging for me, but I’m excited to return to studying and apply everything I’ve learnt in my career to the Music Business MA. It feels like a new beginning to me. I feel extremely blessed to be a recipient of the Richard Antwi scholarship and be on this journey as part of Universal Music UK’s graduate programme. I didn't meet Richard in this life, but I am now feeling first-hand the impression he has left on the world, and for that I am forever grateful."
Ends.
Notes to Editors
About The Richard Antwi Scholarship team – The scholarship is an annual award, with the exception of a hiatus year in 2020. It is run by a team who work on a voluntary basis: Dora Addei, Phillip Antwi, Will Bloomfield (Modest!), Sally Anne Gross (Course Director, Music Business Management MA, University Of Westminster), Paul Heard (musician, composer), Richard Hoare (Hoare Associates), Matt Ross (sent.tv). The team has committed to preserving the legacy of Richard’s kindness, strength and compassion, and the discipline with which he marked his life’s work.
About Richard Antwi - Richard was a much-loved and widely respected music manager, lawyer and entrepreneur. Always ahead of the curve with sharp instincts, great ears… and a handsome smile! As Carl Fysh succinctly put it ‘Richard was quietly at the centre of everything’. Of Ghanaian heritage, Richard’s back story was written in North West London, progressing from a state comprehensive to study law at Oxford University, before embarking on a successful career which saw him play pivotal roles in the ascendance of many of the artists and executives currently making moves and running major organisations in the UK. The breadth of Richard’s support for others became abundantly clear when he passed so suddenly in 2016. The affection and respect in which he was held by so many people across the music industry and beyond, manifested in a desire to channel this goodwill and honour him in a way that captures and continues his legacy.
Universal Music UK is a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. Featuring the most comprehensive catalog of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. UMG is a Vivendi company. Find out more at: http://www.universalmusic.com.
With thanks to scholarship funders: Sony Music UK, Universal Music UK, Warner Music UK, Sony Music Publishing, XL Records, Beggars Group, Young, Clintons, Hoare Associates, Modest! and Simon Stanley.
For further details contact Indy Vidyalankara / indy@indypendentpr.com / 07881 822571