The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) has significantly expanded its influence by welcoming 19 new artists to its official Ambassador community. The latest cohort includes high-profile names such as Dan Smith (Bastille), Orla Gartland, Alfie Templeman, Aziya, and Jalen Ngonda, alongside established industry figures like Imogen Heap and Katie Melua.

These individuals join a powerful network of over 150 artists – including legends like Annie Lennox and Robbie Williams – dedicated to advocating for the rights of creators. This expansion comes at a critical time for the industry as the FAC moves beyond advocacy into direct financial support with the upcoming launch of the UK Artist Touring (UKAT) Fund. By leveraging the respect and visibility of these Ambassadors, the FAC aims to ensure that artists from all genres and backgrounds have a collective voice at the industry’s top tables.

Voices from the Community
The new Ambassadors have been vocal about the necessity of an artist-led organization in the current climate. Dan Smith of Bastille noted the unique position of the coalition: “There’s lots of fantastic advocacy organisations in the music business, all involved in important work behind the scenes – however, there’s only one that wholly has the interests of artists at its heart.”

Orla Gartland highlighted the mounting economic pressures that make this work so vital, stating: “I’ve done this professionally for 10+ years and it feels crazy out here; a combo of compromised income on the records side and rising costs on the live side mean a lot of artists are struggling right now. I’m immensely proud to step forward as an ambassador for the FAC, an organisation that tirelessly fights for us artists at the centre of this industry.”

A Pivotal Year for Support
The appointment of these Ambassadors coincides with the FAC preparing to open applications for the UKAT Fund, which will redistribute £125,000 to artists struggling with the costs of grassroots touring. As FAC CEO David Martin explains, 2026 marks a transformation for the organization as it begins to facilitate the talent that drives the UK music industry through both policy work and practical funding programmes.

To see the full list of over 150 Artist Ambassadors and keep up with advocacy news, visit the Featured Artists Coalition website.