Chairman's statement

David Munns: The Award Committee Chairman

For 2009 we honour Jonathan Ross, OBE, five times Sony Radio Academy Award gold winner and holder of three BAFTAs, who for over two decades has been a steadfast supporter of U.K. music and has become our most important broadcasting star-maker, responsible for bringing many young musicians to a weekly TV audience which exceeds 5 million. 

The award's fundraising dinner in London has become firmly established in the annual music industry calendar as a moving, inspirational evening.  It continues to have two aims: to raise money for the nominated charities, and to honour an individual who has made a significant contribution to the U.K. music industry.  Among the previous award recipients are such luminaries as Lucian Grainge, Kylie Minogue, Harvey Goldsmith, Michael Parkinson, Peter Gabriel, Rob Dickins, Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Brian McLaughlin, John Barry, Ahmet Ertegun, and Sir George Martin.

To date we have raised £3.5 million for the two beneficiary charities: Nordoff Robbins and the BRIT Performing Arts & Technology School.

On the night we salute Jonathan in recognition of his passion for music, enthusiasm for discovering and encouraging musicians and the importance of his two shows for artist development, providing valuable support in challenging times.

All the proceeds from the MITS Award dinner will go to our two nominated charities: Nordoff Robbins and the BRIT Performing Arts & Technology School.  The entertainment business’ support of this event has enabled the development of a new Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Unit at the BRIT School at its site in Croydon.  There is a long history of mutual support between Nordoff Robbins and the British Record Industry Trust, and their latest collaboration is already helping tomorrow’s musicians and performers at the BRIT School to learn today about music’s capacity to heal.

I would therefore like to thank all of you, our supporters, for your unstinting generosity in providing the funds for the work that we do with people who struggle to overcome the challenges of their disabilities, illness or trauma.

Finally, we hope you will join us in celebrating the career of Jonathan Ross, our award recipient for 2009.