Billboard U.K. to Launch Inaugural 40 Under 40 List, Host Honors Event at Manchester’s Beyond The Music Festival

Billboard U.K.’s inaugural 40 Under 40 list is set to arrive this autumn in conjunction with an exclusive launch event at the Beyond The Music conference in Salford, Greater Manchester.

An extension of Billboard’s 40 Under 40 franchise, the list and event will celebrate the young executives and difference-makers across the sector, including labels and distributors, management, publishing, streaming companies, the live business, rights associations and more.

Set to be published in early October, the 40 Under 40 list will be nominated by executives’ peers and companies, and selected in full by Billboard U.K. editors. Nominations are now open here, and close on Aug. 19 at 11:59 p.m. (BST). Eligible executives must be under the age of 40 on Oct. 7, 2026 and based in the U.K.

The list will be celebrated with an exclusive event at the Beyond The Music on Oct. 7 as part of the conference’s official programming.

“The U.K.’s music industry remains a world-leading sector where ambition meets expertise. Billboard UK’s inaugural 40 Under 40 List will honour rising and established executives whose innovative thinking and limitless vision are shaping the future of the market,” Mo Ghoneim, president, Billboard U.K, said in a statement.

“We look forward to recognising this year’s honourees at Beyond The Music 2026, where this shared ethos is fiercely championed.” 

Beyond The Music returns to MediaCity in Salford, Greater Manchester between Oct. 6-9. The music and creative industry conference will open with a 24th anniversary premiere of 24 Hour Party People on Oct. 6. The screening will be accompanied by a keynote conversation with director Michael Winterbottom and actor Steve Coogan, who played the role of Factory Records co-founder Tony Wilson in the film.

Elsewhere, the event will encompass panel discussions across AI, regional investment in the arts, the creative wealth gap, the live sector and more. Closing the programme will be the All Content AI Summit, convened by the newly appointed prime minister and former mayor of Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham. According to a press release, the session will look at how the industry can “align on a shared, rights-based position for AI and ways to protect art and its creation, whilst ensuring commerce can grow and flourish alongside modern technology.” 

Confirmed speakers to appear at the conference so far include Tommas Arnby (manager, Yungblud), Stacey Tang (co-president, RCA U.K.), Dr. Jo Twist (CEO, BPI), Tom Gray (chair, The Ivors Academy) and more.