Tom Besford

Chief Executive, English Folk Expo

I have worked on English Folk Expo since its inception in 2012. In January 2018 I took on the newly created role of Chief Executive. During this time, I've has overseen the expansion of the organisation, creating the artist mentoring programmes, developing industry training activity, launching the Official Folk Albums Chart, creating EFEx Digital, joining Manchester Folk Festival with EFEx, starting Rochdale Folk Festival, producing newly commissioned touring work, applying for charitable status, recruiting a first board and building the team.

I'm keen to build networks and relationships with anyone who has an interest in discovering English folk, roots and acoustic music. Specifically this might be any music industry representatives who would be interested to attend our annual showcase in Manchester.

English Folk Expo

Manchester, United Kingdom

English Folk Expo champions the folk, roots and acoustic music sector in England. We deliver Showcases, international partnerships, festivals, events, online conferencing, artist mentoring, industry training and more. Our primary activities consist of EFEx Showcase, Manchester Folk Festival, Official Folk Albums Charts and annual artist mentoring programme. In 2021 we launched our first programme of virtual showcases which we’re delighted to present at IMX. Alongside these films, we also launched a comprehensive learning platform for those building careers in the music industry, folktalkacademy.com