The Ivors Academy Summit 2026

Empowering songwriters, bringing the global music industry together.

The Ivors Academy Summit returns on Tuesday 19 May at the BFI IMAX during Ivors Week for a day of knowledge sharing, insight and connection.

Across conversations, panels and practical sessions, the Summit explores the future of music-making, from creative rights and technology to the craft and business of songwriting.

The event is designed for songwriters and composers at every stage of their careers who want to develop their craft, build confidence and connect with fellow creators and industry peers.

Multi-platinum songwriter and producer Jon Shave will join the programme as the first confirmed speaker, in conversation with Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Jon has spent more than two decades shaping British and international pop, with songs recorded by artists including Charli xcx, Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, Jessie J and Girls Aloud.

The first round of Summit sessions has now been announced, with more details to come. Explore the programme below.

Presented in association with ICE Services and PRS for Music for the second year, the Summit is a key moment in Ivors Week to champion the value of songwriters and composers.

Tickets

Core or Professional member £69 + VAT
Discovery member £89 + VAT
Non-member music creator £149 + VAT
Industry executive £229 + VAT

Songwriters and composers, become a member and save up to £70 on your ticket.

Already a Discovery member? Upgrade to save £20 on your ticket and unlock more benefits.

Ages 18+

Timings

09:00 Doors
09:30 - 17:30 The Ivors Academy Summit
17:30 Drinks reception

Questions?

Contact events@ivorsacademy.com

Details

The Ivors Academy Summit 2026

Date
19 May 2026

Time
09:00 - 17:30

Address

BFI IMAX
1 Charlie Chaplin Walk
South Bank
London
SE1 8XR

Book now

Programme

David Israelite: in conversation

Protecting your contribution and credit

You wrote the song, but your share is being reduced because someone else wants credit they didn’t earn. Two writers discuss how common it is, how to handle the conversation and when, if ever, it makes sense to give ground.

Your international income: what you need in place

Your songs may be earning in territories where you’re not set up to collect. We run through the registration requirements, reporting gaps and rate differences across key markets. Make sure you’re set up to earn worldwide.

Know your numbers, the data you’re not getting

There’s a huge amount of data that can show how your songs are performing, not enough songwriters see it or know what to look for. Understand the resources available to you, how to access and understand the data, and what to check against what you’re being told.

Songs on social media: where’s the value?

Music underpins content on social platforms, with the value of songs as its core. How do the deal structures between platforms and rights holders work? What have recent disputes shown about where value sits and what should fair terms look like?

Working for free

You signed a deal, you took an advance and you need to keep delivering, even though the money ran out years ago. What does your deal actually require versus what’s assumed? We explore how to reset expectations without damaging the relationship.

Camp culture

Songwriting camps are central to how music gets made across genres, but the writer-side economics are rarely discussed. Who pays for what, what’s reasonable to expect and how do you judge whether a camp is worth your time?

Parenthood and the music industry

Music industry working patterns often conflict with caring responsibilities, from short-notice sessions and time away at camps to irregular income and no maternity/paternity provision for freelancers. We run through the barriers, what changes would make a difference and what other industries do better.

PRS for Music: in conversation

Eight years to per diems

The campaign for per diems in the UK took eight years from proposal to agreement, and it worked. We celebrate that win, take stock of implementation, and set out the campaigns that The Ivors Academy is lobbying on and how you can support them.

State of play: AI in 2026

AI systems are training on songs, and the first licensing deals and royalty structures are starting to take shape. We unpack UK, US and EU perspectives on use, deals and what to ask your publisher.

Creator in conversation – Jon Shave & Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Building a self-sufficient career

If you’re not a performing artist, what does a sustainable songwriting career look like? This session goes through realistic paths to making it work, when to stay independent or sign and what’s working for writers building their careers behind the scenes.

When and what to sign

A big advance looks generous until you read the retention terms. We run though how offers are calculated, what to look for in a deal, the deductions to watch out for and when it makes sense to walk away.

ICE Services: in conversation

US termination rights explained

Described as an “enormous victory for the creator community” the Vetter v Resnik ruling in the US confirmed that when songwriters exercise their termination right, they get their rights back worldwide. Tim Kappel, the lawyer who won the case, explains what termination rights are, what this decision changes and what it means for songwriters with older publishing deals.

Protect

Empower

Celebrate