Eight distinctive people celebrated at The Ivors Academy Honours : The Ivors Academy

At its inaugural Honours ceremony on the InterContinental London Park Lane, The Ivors Academy recognised eight honourees who’ve championed songwriters and composers, serving to to construct a stronger, fairer, and extra inclusive music business: RAYE, Kae Tempest, Sir Richard Branson, Jon Platt, Kanya King CBE, Sir Chris Bryant MP, Catherine Manners and John Sweeney (1959-2025).  

The Ivors Academy Honours have fun music creators and executives setting larger requirements throughout the sector, and whose advocacy, management and innovation are shaping a greater future for songwriters and composers. 

Roberto Neri, Chief Executive of The Ivors Academy, mentioned: “Tonight we honoured those whose courage and commitment remind us that music thrives when songwriters and composers are respected, protected and championed. This evening celebrated individuals who have built their own incredible careers, while also working tirelessly to build better industry practices – resulting in more fairness, equality and therefore a more sustainable future for all songwriters and composers, and the music industry itself.” 

RAYE  

For her excellent advocacy and fearless management in championing truthful therapy and recognition for songwriters. Her campaigning helped safe per diems for UK songwriters.  

RAYE has been recognised as a uncommon and formidable voice advocating for songwriters. She has persistently used her platform to focus on the challenges confronted by the “voiceless beating heart of the industry” and has referred to as on file labels to offer per diems, bills and fairer phrases in order that songwriters correctly share the success of their music. From publicly difficult her former label to independently releasing the critically acclaimed My twenty first Century Blues, RAYE has proven braveness and independence, whereas additionally talking out on wider points akin to misogyny, racism and psychological well being. Fearless in her campaigning and galvanizing in her management, RAYE is without doubt one of the most distinctive songwriters of her technology. Remaining grounded, centered and tenacious all through all her success together with two Ivor Novello Awards and 6 Brits, she embodies the spirit of this honour, and the Academy is proud to recognise her management, voice and unwavering assist for songwriters in all places.  

When accepting her honour, RAYE mentioned on stage: “Being a songwriter is also one of the greatest privileges, and I think it’s something that should be about grifting and talent, not about how rich you are, or to be in a good situation financially to be a songwriter. It shouldn’t be about that.”  

Kae Tempest 

For his distinctive artistic voice, highly effective artistry that has impressed cultural and social change, and powerful advocacy for the LGBTQI+ group.  

Kae Tempest has been recognised for his distinctive artistic voice and the highly effective approach he has impressed cultural and social change. Through music, poetry, theatre and literature, he has persistently knowledgeable, challenged and highlighted pressing points, whereas additionally being a robust advocate for the LGBTQI+ group. Winner of the 2024 Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song, with earlier nominations throughout his profession, Kae has grow to be one of the crucial thought-provoking voices of his technology. This award is the Academy’s approach of thanking him for his imaginative and prescient, creativity and dedication to creating a constructive distinction. From confronting troublesome truths to providing hope in unsure instances, Kae has used his platform to spark very important conversations and drive change, amplifying voices too typically unheard. This award recognises the profound influence of Kae’s artistry and the enduring gentle he continues to shine.  

Kae mentioned: “This is my lifeforce. It’s the greatest joy of my life writing lyrics, music and creativity. It’s why I’m even still alive. We have access to the medicine as people that have access to creativity, and all the people that can’t access it for whatever reason in their life, they need it. It we can access it, we can allow others to access it. It’s very important work and powerful work, and it’s the greatest honour of my life. I feel very honoured to be in a room among others who feel the same.”
 
Sir Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group   

For his extraordinary contribution to music by means of Virgin Records, signing groundbreaking names and giving songwriters the liberty to innovate and succeed.  

Sir Richard Branson has been recognised for his distinctive contributions to music and the legacy of Virgin Records in supporting songwriters and composers. His identify is synonymous with daring concepts, fearless entrepreneurship and cultural change, however on the coronary heart of his extraordinary journey lies music. From launching Virgin as a file retailer in 1970 to constructing Virgin Records into the world’s greatest impartial label and founding V2 Records, Richard created a house for a number of the most influential voices in music and redefined what was doable for an impartial music firm. Signing artists as groundbreaking as Mike Oldfield and the Sex Pistols by means of to world icons like Peter Gabriel and The Rolling Stones, Virgin helped form trendy music and gave songwriters and composers the liberty to innovate and succeed. This award is the Academy’s approach of thanking him for his imaginative and prescient, entrepreneurship and enduring influence on music.  

Sir Richard Branson mentioned: “Empowering artists kick-started the whole Virgin brand. Music has been integral to all our Virgin companies, from radio stations to Megastores, to the Virgin Music label championing new artists today. Music is about taking a chance, seizing the moment, and having fun together. My philosophy for Virgin and in life, is to say ‘screw it, let’s do it’. I’m proud to accept this honour on behalf of everyone who keeps this spirit alive.”
 
Kanya King CBE, CEO and Founder of the MOBO Group  

For founding the MOBO Awards 30 years in the past, reworking the British music panorama by elevating and celebrating Black creativity.  

Kanya King is recognised for her extraordinary work to raise, champion and assist numerous musical expertise by means of the founding of the MOBO Awards thirty years in the past with no company backing, and the cultural motion it has impressed. Today, the MOBO organisation works year-round to encourage, elevate and have fun expertise, not solely by means of its landmark awards ceremony however by means of initiatives akin to MOBO UnSung, MOBOLISE and the MOBO Trust, which offer life-changing alternatives for the subsequent technology of artists and entrepreneurs. From creating Europe’s largest celebration of Black music and tradition to constructing programmes that put money into artists and communities, Kanya has reworked the British music panorama by means of her tireless dedication to celebrating and elevating Black creativity. Her entrepreneurial spirit and cultural management have made her one of the crucial influential figures in British music. This award honours Kanya’s imaginative and prescient and lasting influence on music and society.  

Kanya mentioned: “When I founded the MOBO Awards almost 30 years ago, it was with a simple but powerful belief: that Black music and culture deserved to be recognised, celebrated and respected at the highest level. To be honoured by The Ivors Academy is deeply humbling, and a reminder of the incredible creativity, resilience and brilliance of our artists & songwriters whose stories continue to inspire the world.”   

Jon Platt, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Publishing  

For his world management in music publishing and his imaginative and prescient in putting songwriters’ wellbeing and success on the coronary heart of the business.  

Jon Platt is recognised for his world management and advocacy for songwriters. As Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Publishing, he has championed music creators throughout the enterprise and pushed initiatives that place songwriters’ wellbeing and success on the coronary heart of the business, together with the worldwide programmes Songwriters Forward and Songwriter Assistance. Jon started his profession as a DJ in Denver earlier than transferring into publishing at EMI, the place he rapidly earned a popularity for recognizing icons-in-the-making, signing Jay-Z early in his profession and later working with Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, Rihanna, Drake, Ye, Usher, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg and numerous others. He went on to function Chairman and CEO of Warner Chappell Music, the place his management additional formed trendy publishing and confirmed his popularity as an advocate for songwriters. Widely credited with elevating hip-hop and R&B inside publishing, Jon’s imaginative and prescient continues to form the business – forging partnerships with legendary songwriters, nurturing the subsequent technology, and championing creators throughout the enterprise. This Honour celebrates his extraordinary management and the music he has helped carry to the world. 

Jon mentioned: “When a songwriting organisation reaches out, that hits a bit different. It’s not just an award. It’s an honour to be recognised by an Academy that fights so hard on behalf of songwriters. Thank you for the fighting that you do every day. It’s really appreciated.”

Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State on the Department for Business and Trade  

For going above and past his ministerial remit to barter the introduction of per diems for UK songwriters, a worldwide first.  

Sir Chris Bryant is recognised for his management in championing songwriters and composers throughout his time as Minister of State on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. He performed a pivotal position in securing commitments from UK file labels to offer per diems for songwriters, making certain that once they attend writing classes and recording initiatives their fundamental prices are coated. This was a world first, and a hard-fought, long-overdue, sensible change to assist create a fairer and extra sustainable business. During debates on the Data and AI Bill, Chris supported truthful remuneration and underlined that music creators should share within the worth of latest applied sciences. The Member of Parliament for Rhondda and Ogmore since 2001, Chris has held ministerial posts throughout tradition, media, expertise and overseas affairs. Now a Minister on the Department for Business and Trade, this Honour recognises the lasting, sensible distinction he has made to songwriters and composers by securing per diems. 

Sir Chris Bryant mentioned: “Songwriters are miracle workers. They fashion something out of thin air that can move us, shake us, disturb us, lift us up or calm us down. Their words stick in our minds. They sum up a moment or they tell a story. And miracle workers deserve to be paid properly. Enough to make a living. Enough to reflect the joy they give us. Nobody should ever give the fruits of that labour away for free.”  

Catherine Manners, Founder of Manners McDade 

For a distinguished profession championing composers and constructing Manners McDade right into a revered residence for progressive voices in movie, tv and up to date classical music. 

Catherine Manners is honoured for a distinguished profession championing composers from all backgrounds. From her early work at Wise Music to founding the revered company and writer Manners McDade, she constructed an organization identified for its independence, private strategy and distinctive catalogue. From the outset she created a house that was inclusive and welcoming of latest voices throughout movie, tv, video games, up to date classical and digital music. After promoting her household home to lift capital, she went on to determine a publishing arm, nurturing a particular catalogue and constructing a workforce that turned identified for its integrity, creativity and independence. She nurtured the careers of Craig Armstrong, Joby Talbot and Max Richter, whereas additionally supporting a brand new technology of progressive composers together with Nils Frahm. This award recognises her dedication, independence and imaginative and prescient, and thanks her for a lifetime of service to composers.  

Catherine Manners mentioned: “I chose to work with film and TV composers whose music I loved, composers who wanted to balance family or home life with their careers, composers who wrote their own music, didn’t use ghostwriters and explored their creativity by releasing their music outside of the film and TV industry. I loved helping these composers expand their careers” 

John Sweeney (1959-2025), Vice President, International at SESAC    

Posthumously recognised for his tireless assist and advocacy for songwriters, and his enduring legacy of generosity, integrity and kindness.  

John Sweeney is posthumously recognised for his tireless advocacy and assist of songwriters all through his profession. As a musician, he introduced a author’s intuition and keenness into his government roles. At PRS for Music he turned Director of Membership, working to enhance equity for songwriters and performers, and in 2000 co-founded the PRS Foundation, now the UK’s main charitable funder of latest music. Joining SESAC in 2012 as Vice President, International, he championed artists together with Glass Animals, Mumford & Sons, Alt-J and Disclosure, creating alternatives, supporting new expertise and fostering collaborations worldwide. Ever-present at showcases, gigs and The Ivors, he sought out the subsequent voice to encourage. Remembered for his management, imaginative and prescient and generosity, John was heat, sort and quick-witted, mentoring with integrity and leaving a legacy as an advocate, ally and good friend to the songwriting group. 

John’s daughter, May Sweeney mentioned: “John Sweeney was a passionate champion for songwriters and composers, and it’s incredibly moving to see his legacy honoured. The recognition by The Ivors Academy Honours is a powerful tribute to his life’s work and lasting impact on the industry. John dedicated himself to ensuring that songwriters were respected, valued, and heard, and it’s deeply meaningful to see him receive that same respect and recognition now. On behalf of myself, John’s friends, and his family, we are profoundly grateful to The Ivors Academy for this honour.”