Vanessa Reed

Vanessa Reed (born December 1974) is a British music executive and cultural leader. She is currently Chief Executive of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, a position she assumed in June 2025, becoming the first woman to hold the role in the organisation's 185-year history.

Reed is recognised for founding Keychange, a pioneering gender equality initiative in the music industry, and for her leadership of PRS Foundation from 2008 to 2019. She served as president and CEO of New Music USA from 2019 to 2025.

In 2018, Reed was named the third most powerful woman in music by BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour Power List, after Beyoncé and Taylor Swift.

Early life and education

Reed studied music at Exeter College, Oxford from 1991 to 1993. She subsequently earned a first-class BA Honours degree in French and Music from the University of Southampton (1993–1997).

Reed completed an executive education programme on leadership at Harvard Kennedy School.

Career

Early career (1997–2008)

Reed began her career as Promotions Manager at the British Music Information Centre (now Sound and Music) from October 1997 to December 2000.

Reed has previously served as Grants Manager at the European Cultural Foundation in Amsterdam and has worked as Senior Consultant at ABL cultural consulting.

During her 11-year tenure, Reed tripled the Foundation's resources for organisations, composers, songwriters and artists, introducing an array of national and international programmes.

In 2017, Reed founded Keychange, an international initiative addressing gender imbalances in the music industry, in collaboration with Musikcentrum Öst (Sweden) and Reeperbahn Festival (Germany).

Reed was inducted into Music Week's Women in Music Awards Roll of Honour in 2018. Reed also served as advisor to the Recording Academy's New York chapter from 2021 to 2022.

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic (2025–present)

In February 2025, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic announced Reed's appointment as Chief Executive, making her the first woman to hold the position in the organisation's 185-year history. She assumed the role on 2 June 2025, succeeding Michael Eakin.

Personal life

Reed is married to Eddie Berg, founder of FACT, Liverpool's foundation for art and creative technology. She is a supporter of Liverpool F.C.