Camila Cabello performs at the MITS last night (November 6)

Rob Stringer, global CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, tonight became the 2017 recipient of the highly prestigious Music Industry Trusts Award. Stringer, one of the most well-regarded, respected and successful executives in the worldwide music business, joined the ranks of previous honourees including Roger Daltrey CBE, Sir Elton John & Bernie Taupin, Sir George Martin, Simon Cowell, Michael Eavis CBE and Annie Lennox OBE.

In a London ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, hosted by BBC radio and television personality Jo Whiley, Nicky Wire of Manic Street Preachers - an artist and band Stringer signed 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 the executive during his career.

The esteem in which Stringer is held by the biggest names in music was further emphasised as guests viewed a unique tribute film, featuring contributions from such superstars as Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, Adele, Celine Dion, John Legend, Pharrell, Solange and Sade.

Celebrating its 26th year, the Music Industry Trusts Award is recognised as one of the true benchmarks of achievement in the UK music business, and continues to benefit great causes year after year. The MITS Award supports two important charities, the BRIT Trust and Nordoff Robbins, and is sponsored by Ingenious, PPL, SJM and Spotify.

A lifelong Luton Town Football Club fanatic, Rob started his career in London at CBS Records as a graduate trainee in 1985. Quickly rising through the ranks, he became Managing Director of Epic Records in 1992, and Chairman of Sony Music UK in 2001. During this time, he worked closely with top UK artists including The Clash, Manic Street Preachers, Jamiroquai, Sade and the late George Michael.

Stringer went on to be appointed Chairman of Sony Music Entertainment’s Columbia Records in the US in 2008, and can be credited with the label’s recent stratospheric rise. With a label roster boasting some of the world’s most iconic artists, notably AC/DC, Bob Dylan, Celine Dion, Pharrell Williams and Bruce Springsteen, Stringer has overseen a number of the most ground-breaking releases of the last decade.

Attendees on the night included Simon Cowell, Andy Fletcher (Depeche Mode), Ian Broudie (The Lightning Seeds), Kirsty Young, Steve Norman, Gary Kemp, Paloma Faith, Bring Me The Horizon, Mark Ronson, Laura Whitmore, The Script, Hozier, London Grammar, Damon Hill, Jeff Lynne, Manic Street Preachers.

including the record-shattering “25” by Adele, Beyoncé's cutting-edge visual album “Lemonade” Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories” and “Blackstar”, the final studio album by David Bowie, with whom Rob personally worked very closely.

Stringer’s most recent accomplishments include contributing to the monumental mainstream success of EDM-pop duo The Chainsmokers and, more recently, nurturing Harry Styles’ breakout solo career. Rob was promoted to CEO of Sony Music Entertainment worldwide in October last year.

www.mitsaward.co.uk

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For more information please contact:
The Outside Organisation
Jack Delaney: jack.delaney@outside-org.co.uk