ARTIST & CREATIVE PARTNER
Strategic Advisor to the Music and Creative World
Experienced Perspective | Trusted Sounding Board | Someone in your Corner
WORKING TOGETHER
An experienced voice around the table when it matters most
WHEN THE WAY FORWARD FEELS UNCERTAIN, CLARITY CHANGES EVERYTHING
The music and creative industries are full of opportunity - but they're also full of noise.
Everyone has an opinion. Everyone has advice. Every decision can feel like it carries the weight of your future.
Whether you're building an artistic career, launching a creative business, leading a project or navigating an important crossroads, it's easy to become overwhelmed, second-guess yourself or lose sight of what really matters.
Sometimes you don't need another expert telling you what to do.
You need someone you trust to help you think clearly.
Someone who has walked the path before you.
Someone who understands both the industry and the person navigating it.
Honest advice. Independent perspective. Practical guidance.
We work alongside artists, songwriters, producers, managers and creative entrepreneurs as a trusted adviser and strategic partner.
PEOPLE RARELY COME TO US BECAUSE THEY NEED A CONSULTANT, THEY GET IN TOUCH BECAUSE...
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they're questioning their next move
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they've outgrown the way they've always worked
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they're launching something new
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they're developing or leading a team for the first time
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they need someone to challenge an important decision
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they're feeling stuck
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they have an opportunity they don't want to get wrong
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they're an emerging artist or creative talent needing guidance and experienced back-up
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they arrive with a specific challenge, but the conversation reveals something deeper
Or simply because they want an experienced voice around the table before making their next move.
HOW WE HELP - SOMEONE IN YOUR CORNER
Creative careers can be exciting, fulfilling and rewarding.
They can also be unpredictable, lonely and emotionally demanding.
We understand the pressures of freelancing, entrepreneurship and building something that is deeply personal.
Our role isn't to tell you what you want to hear.
It's to ask the right questions, offer honest advice, share practical experience and help you make decisions that are right for you.
Clients leave our conversations feeling clearer, calmer and more confident than when they arrived.
That's the difference having someone in your corner can make.
TOGETHER WE CREATE THE SPACE TO STEP BACK, THINK CLEARLY AND MAKE INFORMED CHOICES BRINGING THE CLARITY, CONFIDENCE, PERSPECTIVE, DIRECTION AND MOMENTUM NEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PURPOSE...
Whether you need support for one important conversation or an ongoing strategic partner, we work with clients across:
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Artist & career development
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Creative business strategy
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Commercial partnerships and negotiations
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Project and team leadership
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Independent advice during key career decisions
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Selective co-management
Because every creative journey deserves someone who understands both the machine and the human navigating it. You deserve experience, perspective and someone genuinely in your corner.
MUSIC
New + Established Music Talent
ESTABLISHED TALENT:
We offer bespoke, senior-level guidance on long-term vision, brand positioning, team development, company culture, and diversified revenue strategies. We act as a trusted, non-executive sounding board for major campaigns, contract discussions, pivotal industry negotiations and career milestones.
EMERGING ARTISTS & CREATIVES:
We provide practical eye-level, career-building support 'from the coal-face' on early brand development, recording, release, marketing and promotional strategies alongside building your profile, team and network.
CREATIVE ARTS
Freelance Creatives + Businesses
Across the wider creative arts, we work with theatre and stage designers, TV writers, playwrights, podcasters,
photographers, videographers, lifestyle creatives and independent creative businesses.
We work alongside you to strengthen the business side of your creative work while protecting the creativity that drives it. We offer experienced, thoughtful support, perspective, focused guidance, strategic feedback and a collaborative space to help you develop your long-term career and business plans. This includes strategies and practical planning for busy periods and quieter months to help you stay focused, resilient and creatively fulfilled.
ORGANISATIONS
Creative Business Advisors
We are industry advisors with board, education and governance experience. We work with music companies, creative businesses, music education organisations, CICs, and arts charities.
We present guest lectures and webinars, are panellists at music events and provide one-to-one specialist coaching for music BA Hons and MA degree students.
We are always curious and open to new adventures and inspiring collaborations. If you have a project, initiative or opportunity where strategic thinking, industry experience and creative insight could add value, we’d love to hear from you.
WHO WE WORK WITH
CREATIVES, FRIENDS & TEAMS
Some of the talent and organisations we champion
PAST
Our former artist management clients
ABOUT US
Diane Wagg
Music Executive | Trusted Sounding Board | Artist & Creative Partner
“Whatever stage you're at - emerging, established, or somewhere in between - chances are I've been where you are. Probably more than once”.
Diane, founder and lead for Deluxxe, is a music executive and strategic adviser whose career has spanned artist management, A&R, record production, studio management and creative business consultancy.
She began her career in EMI Records' A&R division before moving into artist management, where she worked with Philip Lynott and Thin Lizzy.
She later became Director of Tony Visconti's group of companies, overseeing his business interests and managing Good Earth Recording Studios, working with artists including David Bowie, George Michael, Duran Duran, U2, The Stranglers, The Boomtown Rats and Altered Images.
Diane went on to co-found Rise Management, representing artists including Republica, Beth Orton, Mike Scott (The Waterboys), Rialto, Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff), Sunhouse, Towering Inferno and The Drum Club, before founding Deluxxe Management.
Throughout her management career she worked with hundreds of artists, from emerging talent to internationally established acts, across major labels, independent labels and self-releasing businesses.
She is perhaps best known for developing Scouting for Girls from an unsigned band into a No.1, triple platinum act with arena tours, multiple hit singles and BRIT and Ivor Novello Award nominations. Her
management roster also included A Girl Called Eddy, REWS, Carla Marie Williams, Touriste and Lockdown Project.
Today, through Deluxxe Creative Consultancy, Diane works with artists, managers, songwriters, producers, creative entrepreneurs and organisations as a strategic adviser and trusted sounding board.
Some clients come to Diane when they're facing uncertainty or change. Others are already successful but value an experienced, independent perspective to help challenge ideas, explore opportunities and make confident decisions. Whether navigating career transitions, growing a business, building a team or developing an artist, Diane brings practical experience, commercial insight and honest advice shaped by years of working at the heart of the creative industries.
Having built creative careers while running her own businesses, Diane understands the realities of freelance and entrepreneurial life. She knows the pressures of balancing creativity with commercial demands and the importance of having someone who can provide perspective when the next step isn't immediately clear. Clients often describe her as someone in their corner - an experienced voice around the table who understands both the industry and the individual navigating it.
Alongside her consultancy, Diane selectively undertakes co-management roles, partnering with artists and management teams where her experience, strategic input and industry network can help accelerate an artist's development.
Diane is a former Chair and current Custodian of the Music Managers Forum (MMF), an experienced Board Director, Women in Music Roll of Honour recipient, Business Adviser, qualified Professional Coach and Mental Health First Aider
