Tastemaker Annie Mac announced as first ever ambassador Manchester’s Reform Radio

A BBC Radio 1 DJ leading one of the station’s flagship shows has been announced as the first-ever ambassador for Manchester radio station Reform.

Annie Mac is a key music industry figure championing female and LGBTQ+ artists and advocating for positive, inclusive change.

Her Friday night show for the BBC goes out to over a million people every week.

Leaning on her experience as an internationally renowned DJ, presenter, broadcaster and events curator, through her role at Reform she will look to support and strengthen the work of the award-winning local station.

The not-for-profit first started life in a South Manchester basement back in 2013 and has been steadily growing its reputation for quality and talent ever since.

Operating as a social enterprise, Reform Radio uses the engagement of radio and music to work with young people looking for employment.

Providing real-life opportunities to engage, teach and develop skills is at the core of what the station is all about – and Annie’s own work aligns perfectly with these values and mission.

Last year she was appointed to head up a new music industry initiative called the Equalising Music Pledge to help accelerate gender parity in the music industry.

She’s also been an outspoken supporter of young people coming up in the industry, telling Music Week that it’s “less and less necessary” for young people to “hand over things to bigger corporations if you don’t have to or want to”.

Speaking on her new ambassador appointment, Annie Mac said: “I’m really honoured to take on the role of ambassador for such a brilliant organisation as Reform Radio.”

“The work it does is vital in charging up young people with the confidence they need to go out there in the world and gain employment, and all through the medium of radio and music, which are my two first loves.

“The team are passionate and progressive and hungry to grow, and I’m excited to work with them to try and help Reform Radio gain as many young people coming through its doors as possible.”

Reform radio director Rachel Roger adds: “We are so excited to welcome Annie as the first ever Ambassador to Reform Radio.”

“As a majority female lead organisation with a strategic commitment to diversifying the music and broadcast industries, we’ve looked up to Annie’s own work in these areas and look forward to learning from her and working together to continue to make this change.”

Reform Radio is committed to developing the next generation of young people for the audio industries and engaging talented individuals from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds.

Residents to watch include Daisy Adams’ breakfast show, Andy Shake’n’fingerpop (who plays a one hour, all vinyl set containing only records bought from the wonderful shops of Manchester) and original Hacienda resident and Homoelectric legend DJ Paulette.