Sam Jackson

Sam has worked across broadcasting and the recorded music industry for nearly 20 years, collaborating with many of the world’s greatest classical and jazz musicians. During that time, he has held a range of senior leadership roles and prior to joining the BBC was Executive Vice-President of Global Classics & Jazz for Universal Music Group.

Music education has been important to Sam throughout his career. He was a member of The Music Commission – a year-long inquiry into supporting and sustaining musical progression for all – and is a Board Member of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance. In addition, he is a trustee of the charities Help Musicians and the Young Classical Artists Trust, a member of the Royal Philharmonic Society Council, and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music. He has also written and co-written a number of best-selling books on classical music.

Named by The Hospital Club as ‘one of the 100 most influential and innovative people working across arts, culture and the creative industries’, Sam’s first experience of broadcasting was as a 19-year-old runner at the BBC Proms. After studying Music at the University of York, Sam then spent 15 years in the commercial radio industry, latter running three national radio brands: Classic FM, Smooth and Gold.