The Music Business UK Awards 2024 lit up London’s Grand Connaught Rooms on November 4. The sold-out event, presented by MBW with YouTube, honored achievements across songwriting, production, publishing, record labels, and management. Moreover, the evening highlighted the creativity and resilience driving the UK music industry.
The Sir George Martin Award
To begin with, one of the night’s standout moments came when Peter Edge, Chairman and CEO of RCA Records, received the Sir George Martin Award. In his speech, Edge recalled growing up in Nuneaton and finding inspiration in The Beatles. He said he was “beyond humbled” to be mentioned alongside Martin. In addition, Edge shared guiding principles: trust the artists, be patient with their growth, and take risks with them. Ultimately, his words reminded the audience that great artists don’t just follow culture—they change it.
Meanwhile, Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, won International Executive of the Year, underscoring her global impact on publishing. At the same time, Capitol Records UK earned A&R Team of the Year after successes with Olivia Dean and Sammy Virji. Furthermore, Polydor Label Group took Record Company of the Year, while Kobalt secured Major Publisher of the Year. Additionally, The Orchard won Artist & Label Services Company of the Year, reflecting the rise of independent and service-driven models.
Managers & Innovators
Beyond the headline awards, the ceremony also honored managers and behind-the-scenes leaders. Owain Davies, manager of Sam Fender, won Artist Manager of the Year. Similarly, Ignition, UROK, and Debbie Gwyther were recognized for Oasis’ record-breaking comeback tour. Jo Charrington and Willem Ward of Capitol Records UK earned A&R Pop honors, while DJ AG received the Trailblazer Award. Together, the winners showcased the breadth of talent shaping today’s music landscape.
In conclusion, the 2024 Music Business UK Awards celebrated both individual and collective achievements. More importantly, the event emphasized values that sustain the industry: creativity, collaboration, and cultural impact. As Edge reminded the audience, the true greats don’t just reflect culture—they transform it.
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