Since becoming Chief Executive of The Ivors Academy, Roberto has led a transformation of the organisation, strengthening its position as the leading voice for songwriters and composers globally. Under his leadership, the Academy has grown into one of the world's most influential organisations representing music creators, significantly expanding its membership from 2,000 to 15,000 members in a year, increasing its impact with government and industry, launching new initiatives to support creators and extending its reach and influence internationally.
During this time, The Ivors Academy has strengthened its campaigning on creators' rights, secured important policy progress on issues including generative AI and creator remuneration, expanded opportunities for professional development, and introduced new programmes and events that celebrate and empower songwriters and composers at every stage of their careers.
Tom Gray, Chair of The Ivors Academy, said: "Roberto has spent his entire career on one stubborn argument: that songwriters and composers deserve actual, spendable money, not just polite applause. He's one of the rare people in this industry, who’s won that argument on his day.
Together, The Ivors Academy has stopped being a good idea people admire from a distance and become one of the most influential organisations for songwriters and composers anywhere in the world; built by getting industry, government and creators to sit in the same room and agree on something, which is its own kind of small miracle.
This appointment isn't a gift. It's just everyone else catching up with what the rest of us already knew. I couldn't be more pleased for him and for our community on gaining such a committed champion entering the House of Lords."
Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy, said: "It is an enormous honour to be appointed to the House of Lords. Everything I have worked towards throughout my career has been driven by a belief that music creators deserve to be valued, fairly rewarded and given every opportunity to succeed.
It is a privilege to lead The Ivors Academy and to work alongside extraordinary songwriters, composers and colleagues every day. I look forward to continuing to champion music creators and the wider creative industries, ensuring they remain at the heart of our cultural life and future prosperity."
