New research conducted for the Royal College of Music [1](RCM) reveals that, despite growing geo-political tensions and economic uncertainty, public belief in the importance of music to Britain has never been stronger.
Our consumer research suggests that three in four adults (75%) regard the UK as a global leader in the creative arts and nearly half (49%) rank music as Britain‘s greatest export to the world - above scientific research (28%), technology innovation (24%) and manufacturing (18%). London topped a list of 20 global cities as the world's centre of excellence for music and theatre (45%), reinforcing the city's standing not just as a financial hub but as a creative one.
At the RCM, we know that music serves society in a multitude of ways whilst simultaneously driving economic growth, business and entrepreneurialism. This first in a series of insight reports from the Royal College of Music focuses on one critical stakeholder group: business leaders. It explores their views on music, what they believe needs to be done to support career pathways, and the transferable skills and value a music education can deliver to the workplace.
This research complements a strong public recognition that nurturing music excellence and access requires a broad and coordinated coalition. Government, businesses, philanthropists, parents, conservatoires, the UK's performing arts groups, schools, famous musicians and the media all play an essential role in evolving partnerships that deliver impact and widen access to music education. The Royal College of Music remains committed to investing in its role as a convener, partner and collaborator to enrich the UK's vibrant music education ecosystem and to support the continuing success of the UK music industry.
Business leaders' views on plugging skills gaps in the workplace
Music is not something separate to business life. Almost all business leaders surveyed said they personally enjoyed music - and 90% said it helped them concentrate at work, with many crediting it with sharpening their decision-making. A further 70% said music-based wellbeing initiatives could be a tangible employee benefit for their staff. Preferences ranged from pop (34%) and classical (26%) to soul (20%) and country (18%), but engagement with music was near-universal.
Significantly, the Royal College of Music study explored the skills employers look for in graduate hires - and music emerged as the subject rated most highly across all seven competency areas surveyed: communication skills, creativity and innovation, teamwork and collaboration, problem solving, adaptability and flexibility, leadership skills and time management.
At a time when music GCSE and A-Level entries are falling, these findings make a compelling case for reassessment - not just of careers in music, but of the transferable skills a music education uniquely develops. Company directors rated the importance of music more highly than parents or the national average. Parents appear to have absorbed the policy emphasis on STEM subjects; business leaders - acutely aware of the skills they need from graduates - have reached a different conclusion.
The importance of music as a key subject at school
The research explored public attitudes to a range of school subjects. When asked which correlated with Britain's greatest exports and international leadership, music scored very highly across the board. But when parents were asked which subjects to encourage their children to pursue - GCSEs and A-Levels in mind - views shifted. This reflects the cumulative effect of successive governments prioritising STEM subjects and signposting STEM-led career pathways.
Business decision makers saw it differently. Technology was their top choice (54%), but music was significantly more valued by business leaders than it was by the UK consumer national average (50% vs 37%). Design technology (39%), drama (25%) and film studies (23%) were also more highly rated - a clear pattern of business leaders placing greater weight on creative subjects, and in a number of cases rating them above maths and science.
Skills for life
Beyond workplace competencies, business leaders were more likely than the public national average to recognise the enduring value of a music education across a lifetime - at work, in communities and at home. They were more likely to cite enhancement of creativity, self-expression, confidence and resilience (53%); development of mental discipline and motor skills (46%); emotional intelligence (46%); cultural awareness (38%); and improvements to perseverance, concentration and focus (36%).
The ecosystem needed to support music pathways
Business leaders were asked who has a part to play in creating an ecosystem that supports the musical talent of tomorrow. The results are striking: respondents ticked an average of four options, with a significant proportion identifying ten or more groups as having a role.
No single sector can carry this alone. Government, businesses, philanthropists, conservatories, schools, parents, streaming platforms, charities and community organisations each play an essential part in a functioning ecosystem - and the public recognises this breadth of responsibility. Conservatoires are an essential part of the ecosystem and sit at the fulcrum between education and industry.
Business leaders placed particular emphasis on celebrity advocacy, music industry leaders, tech companies and business sponsors - stakeholders often underrepresented in existing music policy conversations. But the table below reflects the full scope of what is needed: a sustained, coordinated coalition across every tier.
The Royal College of Music
Founded in 1882, the Royal College of Music (RCM) is a world-leading music conservatoire where 900 undergraduate and postgraduate students are taught in a creative environment informed by heritage and driven by innovation. In 2025 the Royal College of Music was ranked the Global No. 1 institution for Performing Arts and Music for the fourth year running in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.
RCM graduates forge extraordinary careers across the global music landscape. Many also thrive in diverse roles across the wider creative sector and beyond, showcasing the versatility and impact of an RCM education.
The Royal College of Music has trained some of the most important figures in music including composers and performers such as Sir Thomas Allen, Benjamin Britten, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Dame Sarah Connolly, Sir Colin Davis, Gustav Holst, Lord Lloyd Webber, Sir Neville Marriner, Anna Meredith MBE, Mark-Anthony Turnage and Ralph Vaughan Williams.
As a leading centre for innovation and research, students benefit from the Royal College of Music Library with manuscripts by Mozart, Elgar and Holst, and the Royal College of Music Museum with over 14,000 musical items and on-site collections. Our flourishing Junior College and community programme enables thousands of talented young students from diverse backgrounds to access high-quality music education.