Our Trust
What we do
Creative development
Every music creator should have the chance to succeed, but many face barriers because of their background, location or funding. Inside Track gives emerging creators the chance to collaborate with Ivor Novello Award winner Cassell the Beatmaker, produce tracks, and receive mentoring and support on everything from their personal brand to releasing and publishing.
Professional development
The music industry can be a bewildering place if you don’t have the knowledge or connections, so our new pre-degree diploma programme in creative entrepreneurship – TheWRD from The Ivors Academy – provides people aged 19+ with the opportunity to learn more about the business of music and find their feet in the industry.
Support for future leaders
To create change we need to support the next leaders to tackle long-standing inequalities. Our In the Room programme develops the leaders of tomorrow by providing paid opportunities for 18 to 24-year-old music creators to develop their management skills, increase industry contacts and engage with music industry boards and councils.
we can make a difference, and you can help
“By supporting The Ivors Academy Trust you are helping to change the face of the music industry.
It is important that Ivors winners of the future reflect the wonderful diverse culture across the UK.”
Jin Jin, songwriter
Support us
We are funded through donations, partnerships, grants and bequests.
Our partners include Help Musicians, PPL, PRS for Music, PRS Foundation and Youth Music.
You can create lifechanging opportunities for disadvantaged songwriters and composers by making a donation, becoming a corporate partner or remembering us in your will.
Find out moreThe Trust’s donations policy
- All donors to The Ivors Academy Trust must support the mission, values, and ethos of The Ivors Academy and Trust.
- All donations to the Trust are treated as charitable giving with no benefits attributable to the donor including publicity and or badging.
- The Trust will treat all donations confidentially.
The Trust is led by passionate experts from across and beyond the music industry who are helping us to grow and develop our creative community.
Cliff Fluet
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Partner at Lewis Silkin LLP and MD at Eleven Advisory.
Lucy Francis
Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
CEO of 17Days Music.
Michael Adex
CEO and Founder of the talent and entertainment company NQ.
Natasha Baldwin
EVP, Universal Music Publishing, Classics and Screen.
Michael Dugher
CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, former Shadow Culture Secretary and ex-CEO of UK Music.
Sally Anne Gross
Music business consultant, academic and author.
Charlotte Harris
Music and Entertainment Partner at Harris and Trotter LLP Chartered Accountants.
Melanie Johnson
Head of Investor Services, Utopia Music.
Peter Leathem
CEO of PPL, Chair of the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine, and Director of UK Music.
Danny Poku
Co-founder of Delirious/Blacksmith Management, Stellar Songs, Did Ya Know podcast, and Tim and Danny Music.
Silvina Munich
Special Advisor to the Trust.
Graham Davies
CEO of the Trust and Academy.
Julia Montero
Independent Board Director of the Academy
Andy Heath CBE
Chairman Beggars Music and Board Director Beggars Group
Fran Malyan
Director, Extra Mile Music
Shani Gonzales
EVP, Managing Director of Warner Chappell Music UK and Head of International A&R, Warner Chappell Music
Michelle Escoffery
President of PRS’ Members Council, Ivor Novello Award-winning songwriter and singer
Shirin Absolum
Governance & Admin Coordinator
The David Ferguson Legacy
David Ferguson (1953 – 2009) was one of Britain’s most successful television composers. He served for six years as chairman of The Ivors Academy and was awarded a Fellowship, our highest honour. David dedicated much of his life to campaigning about the rights of songwriters and composers. In 2013, David left a portion of his estate to The Ivors Academy Trust to support our education programmes.
The Ivors Academy Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales, number 1080325.
