Linda Ayoola

Linda’s Accounting and Financial Management degree launched her career as a Senior Project Manager at the Royal Bank of Scotland. She led a global voting drive before pursing an expected career in music given the fact she always had one foot in the creative industry through her husband, Spoken Word Artist, Suli Breaks. Transitioning from Africa Lead/Services Lead to Global Head of Music at Platoon (now Apple), Linda now oversees all genres with a global team and has nurtured stars like Ayra Starr and Amaarae. Rooted in her Nigerian heritage, she champions African music, organises TEDx events in Peckham, and has served as a magistrate.

I’m beyond excited for SXSW London 2025! It’s the first time the festival is coming to the UK, and it’s a massive opportunity for local talent to showcase their skills while giving the economy a boost. The event will create jobs, open doors for local businesses, and give brands a chance to shine on a global stage. I’m especially looking forward to the Abbey Road partnership and the community curators who will help shape the music scene. As someone who’s championed African music through at Platoon, I’m particularly excited to see African artists perform and speak—it’s incredible to see their talent and stories being shared on such a global platform!