The BBC Indie Development Fund

The BBC Indie Development Fund is awarded to six independent production companies and gives them a financial grant plus mentoring support. The aim is to help small production companies develop their work which in turn allows the BBC to better represent, serve and reflect all audiences. 

Reform has been partnered with and is being mentored by Radio 3, the home of classical music on the BBC and we have worked across three areas with the fund. 

1. Classical Connections Open Forum

We wanted to explore the barriers people face when connecting with classical music in an Open Forum discussion. Classical composer Afrodeutsche hosted a discussion to understand why people struggle to connect with classical music, and how that might affect who works in classical music radio. 

2. A two-day workshop: How to be a classical music radio producer 

We provided training in the skills required for music radio production skills and an understanding of the current landscape of classical music radio. Participants developed ideas for a new radio/podcast series and recorded a short trailer for their ideas. 

3. Hiring a junior producer

Welcome to Tylah Pierce who took part in both the Open Forum and the two day workshop! Tylah joins us on a 6-month contract in our podcasting team and is eagerly helping out across our projects, gaining hands-on industry experience in radio and podcasting production.