About The MITS Award
Since its creation in 1992, the Music Industry Trusts Award has become one of the industry’s most cherished fundraising events.
Each year, our committee of esteemed experts draw on their diverse experience to choose an outstanding individual to honour with the award, in recognition of their contribution to the UK’s musical and cultural landscape.
The award-presentation ceremony is held at The Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane every November. This special, inspirational evening brings together hundreds of guests from across the industry to celebrate the recipient’s achievements among their peers, all while raising vital funds for music charities Nordoff & Robbins and The BRIT Trust.
PAST RECIPIENTS
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For the 33rd edition of The MITS Award, Ashley-Tabor King was recognised for his exceptional entrepreneurship in the founding of Global Media & Entertainment, alongside his commitment to using his platform as a force for good in the music industry.
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Our 2024 award recognised the outstanding career of Jason Iley, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK & Ireland. Jason has not only worked with some of the biggest names in music; he’s consistently championed new talent, and launched important diversity and inclusion initiatives that are supporting a new generation of executives into the industry.
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One of the world's most revered music agents, Lucy received the 2023 MITS Award in recognition of a 25+ year career which has seen her shape the face of live music, and consistently seek out the greatest musical talents of our time.
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Our 2022 award ceremony celebrated the life and extraordinary achievements of the founder of SBTV, Jamal Edwards MBE.
Through music, entrepreneurship, and his commitment to youth work and raising mental health awareness, Jamal made an incredible impact in his 31 years. He’s left an indelible legacy – not only on the industry, but on the many lives his positive energy and work has touched.
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Music legend, DJ, pioneer and national treasure Pete Tong MBE has made an outstanding contribution to the music and broadcast industries over his thirty plus year career. Tong’s tireless commitment to championing the music he loves has seen him earn his role as the global ambassador of dance music.
The 2001 ceremony was hosted by acclaimed fellow DJ and presenter DJ Spoony, with performances from some of Pete’s longstanding friends and collaborators New Order, Becky Hill and Norman Jay MBE.
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Richard Griffiths and Harry Magee, co-founders of legendary music management company Modest! Management, were the first music managers to receive the MITS Award. Richard and Harry have between them spearheaded the careers of many successful artists across a four-decade timespan.
The award ceremony was hosted by pop power couple Rochelle and Marvin Humes, with legendary British film maker Richard Curtis presenting the award. It featured performances by artists from the Modest! roster, including Katherine Jenkins, Alexis Ffrench, Niall Horan, Olly Murs and Alison Moyet.
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Emma Banks, Co-Head of Creative Artists Agency (CAA) London, is one of the most successful and respected talent agents in the business, and has paved the way for women across the industry.
The 2018 ceremony was hosted by BBC radio and television personality Alice Levine, with the award presented by Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers – a close friend of many years. During the evening, the audience enjoyed performances by Florence Welch, Beth Ditto and Texas – all artists who have worked with Emma during her career.
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Rob Stringer, global CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, is one of the most well-regarded and successful executives in the worldwide music business.
The 2017 ceremony was presented by Jo Whiley, and Nicky Wire of Manic Street Preachers – signed by Stringer in 1991 as they were starting out – presented Rob with the award. During the evening, the audience enjoyed performances by Harry Styles, Jeff Lynne’s ELO, George Ezra and Camila Cabello, all chart-topping artists who have worked with Stringer.
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Sir Roger Daltrey, founding member of The Who, received the 2016 MITS Award in recognition of his contribution to the entertainment industry and many charitable causes, notably the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Hosted by Jo Whiley, the evening also celebrated 25 years of the MITS Award, and featured a series of live performances from Keane frontman Tom Chaplin, The Shires and The Wilko Johnson Band, who were joined by Roger Daltrey.
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Simon Cowell, record company executive, television and film producer and global TV icon, was presented with the 24th MITS Award by One Direction, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the music and entertainment industry as well as many charitable causes.
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Creator of the much-loved Glastonbury Festival, the largest greenfield festival in the world, attended by over 175,000 each year and raising millions of pounds for charities. Through Michael's tireless dedication, Glastonbury has become an important landmark in the cultural life of this country.
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Annie Lennox, the iconic singer, songwriter and philanthropist, was presented with the 2013 MITS Award in recognition of her universally acclaimed status as an artist, songwriter and champion of humanitarian causes.
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Musician, songwriter and producer Gary Barlow was presented with the 2012 MITS Award in recognition of his status as one of the UK’s most accomplished artists and songwriters, as well as being a dedicated ambassador for many charities.
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National treasure Jools Holland was presented with the MITS Award for the event's 20th anniversary, in recognition for his success in popularising music through his broadcasting and musicianship.
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International superstar Tom Jones was presented with the MITS Award in recognition of his status as one of the world’s greatest singers and performers, and a truly timeless entertainer.
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Broadcaster and presenter Jonathan Ross was presented with the 2009 MITS Award for playing an important part in the UK music landscape, with his passion for music, and enthusiasm for discovering and encouraging musicians.
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Sir Lucian Grainge is one of the most successful and influential music executives, responsible for bringing new artists to the fore with his creativity, determination and fidelity to the music industry.
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Kylie was presented with the 2007 MITS Award for her continued success in the pop music industry, inspiring millions with her dignity and humanity for over 20 years.
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The quintessential impresario, Harvey Goldsmith was presented with the 2006 MITS Award. Goldsmith has been part of the fabric of the British entertainment industry for decades as an event producer and promotor.
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Legendary broadcaster and star-maker Sir Michael Parkinson received the MITS Award in recognition of his passion for music, and enthusiasm for discovering and encouraging new artists.
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The visionary artist and lead singer of Genesis was presented with the MITS Award in recognition of the contributions he has made to British music, as well as his work fighting injustice.
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Talent finder extraordinaire Rob Dickens was presented the MITS Award for his commitment to the music industry and his devotion to the BPI, where he served four terms as Chairman.
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Partners in song Elton John and Bernie Taupin have written some of the greatest tracks of all time, with a partnership that's spanned many decades and produced work that is known and admired the world over.
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As Chief Operating Officer of HMV Media Group, Brian McLaughlin was honoured with the MITS Award in recognition of his unprecedented contribution to UK music retail.
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The late co-founder of Atlantic Records, Ahmet Ertegun, was presented with the 2000 MITS Award for a remarkable career that spanned more than five decades. His contribution and support crossed many music styles from Ray Charles and Led Zeppelin to Bette Midler and Pete Townshend.
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The late Oscar-winning musician and composer John Barry OBE received the 1999 MITS Award in recognition of a remarkable career that spanned nearly four decades.
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The late Sir George Martin CBE was a legendary producer and national treasure. He received the 1998 MITS Award for his exceptional, innovative career that spanned over five decades.
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The late Alan Freeman MBE , nicknamed "Fluff", disc jockey and radio personality, received the MITS Award in 1996.
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English composer, entrepreneur and musical theatre impresario Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber won the MITS award in 1995.
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The founding fundraisers for Nordoff Robbins won the 1994 MITS Award.
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The late Maurice Oberstein, music industry executive, won the MITS Award in 1993.
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John Deacon CBE, Director General of the British Phonographic Industry, was the first MITS Award recipient.
THE COMMITTEE
Chaired by:
Dan Chalmers
Toby Leighton-Pope
Honorary President
John Deacon CBE
Patron
The Lord Levy
Richard Baskind
Partner, SMB
Lynne Best
Director, The Fourth Pillar
Sarah Clark
Co-producer, The MITS Award
Maggie Crowe OBE
Events & Charities Director, BPI
Chris Evans
Creative Director, Sherry Design
Rachel Hayes
Head of Events, Nordoff & Robbins
Luke Hyams
Co-founder, Pangaea
Sunita Mirchandani Hyams
Co-founder, Pangaea
Jackie Hyde
Vice President, Artist & Company Relations, Sony Music UK
Francis Keeling
EVP Business Development, ORFIUM
Emma Mackie
Co-producer, The MITS Award
John Reid
Partner, Level Law
Wez Saunders
Managing Director, Defected
Paul Sexton
Freelance journalist and broadcaster
Tom Shaw
Event Producer, The MITS Award
Peter Stack
West Village Music Management
Caryn Tomlinson
Director, MacuDopa by CogniBrain
Rachel Tregenza Senior Director, Communications & Global Artist Strategy, Universal Music UK
Tom Williams SVP, Communications & Policy, UK & Global, Universal Music Group
Thank you to our sponsors:
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PPL is the UK music industry’s collective management organisation (CMO) for performers and recording rightsholders. We help ensure that our members’ talent and investment is fairly rewarded.
We license recorded music in the UK when it is broadcast (TV and radio) or played in public places (retail, hospitality, workplaces, gyms, etc). When our members’ music is played around the world, they can appoint us to collect royalties through our network of 117 agreements with other CMOs.
Our members include both independent and major record companies, together with performers ranging from emerging grassroots artists through to established session musicians and global superstars.
In 2025, PPL’s revenue was over £315 million, and we paid over 182,000 performers and recording rightsholders. In the last five years alone, PPL has distributed over £1.25 billion to performers and recording rightsholders.
Based out of Manchester, SJM Concerts are one of the UK’s leading concert promoters working with a wide range of artists of all sizes and genres.
In 2026 their promoted shows will include Foo Fighters, Florence and the Machine, Raye, Take That, Alex Warren, Olivia Dean, Tame Impala, Niall Horan, Country 2 Country, the Prodigy, Sombr, My Chemical Romance and Lily Allen amongst many others.
As well as promoting in every major UK Stadium, SJM Concerts promote over 2,000 concerts a year in venues across the UK making them one of the UK's busiest promoters.
SJM Concerts have been voted ‘Promoter Of The Year' at the Music Week Awards more than 10 times since the award was introduced.
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