MUSIC INDUSTRY TRUSTS AWARD: 2025 RECIPIENT ASHLEY TABOR-KING CBE HONOURED AT STAR-STUDDED CEREMONY

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

In recognition of his dedication to the music industry

With surprise performances from Rita Ora, Jessie J, and Olly Murs

Tributes from Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Prince William, Katy Perry, Chris Martin, Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow, RAYE, Benson Boone, Simon Cowell and many more

VIP Guests on the night: KT Tunstall, Emma Bunton, Kate Garraway, Louise Redknapp, Jordan North, Chris Stark, Sian Welby, Emily Maitlis, Mark Wright, Kelly Brook, Jon Sopel, Aimee Vivian, Kemi Rodgers, Dan Walker, Will Manning, MistaJam, Shayna Marie, Robert Bruce, Pandora Christie, Jason King, Nick Ferrari, James O'Brien,James Bassam, Jenni Falconer, Angie Greaves, Floella Benjamin, Simon Rimmer and Margherita Taylor

Hosted by Capital Breakfast's Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby 

Monday 3rd November

www.mitsaward.co.uk  

This event supports the BRIT Trust, Nordoff & Robbins and the Global Academy

Ashley Tabor-King CBE, Founder & Executive President of Global Media & Entertainment group, has been awarded this year's prestigious Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS) at a star-studded ceremony, in recognition of a two decade career that has changed the face of the British music industry and broadcasting. 

The award was presented to him by media executive, consultant and broadcaster Richard Park in a room full of his peers and family at a gala ceremony in The Great Room, Grosvenor House Hotel, held in aid of three vital music charities in the UK: The BRIT Trust, Nordoff & Robbins and, for the first time this year, The Global Academy. 

On screen tributes rolled in from Ashley's peers, public figures, as well as some of the world's biggest artists, including Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Prince William, Katy Perry, Chris Martin, Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow, RAYE, Benson Boone, Simon Cowell, Chris Moyles, Irving Azoff, The Wanted's Max George, Roc Nation's Jay Brown, Backstreet Boys' Howie Dorough, Jordan North, Roman Kemp, Dave Berry, Johnny Vaughan, Amanda Holden, Jamie Theakson and many more. 

The evening was a pure celebration, featuring exceptional performances by three artists Rita Ora, Jessie J and Olly Murs. Kicking off the night in style, surprise guest and globally renowned singer Rita Ora flew in from LA to be there on the night. She performed "Anywhere," "I Will Never Let You Down," "Your Song," plus a gorgeous acoustic version of "Let You Love Me," and for the second time ever, her newest single "All Natural". 

BRIT award-winning, multi-platinum selling artist Jessie J then took to the stage. She greeted the crowd "Hello everyone, it's a great night. I've just put my son to sleep. It's a double life! Yes I'm performing "Domino," it's 15 years of this song!" Jessie added, "Coming back, there's a lot of people in this room who have been in my career. I'm really appreciative, and I'm really grateful for people like Ashley Tabor-King who scoop you up and celebrate my music and challenge me." Jessie J also performed her mega-hit "Price Tag" before bringing the house down with a beautiful rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing". 

Much loved singer Olly Murs closed the night and had everyone on their feet for "Dance With Me Tonight," "Troublemaker," and "Dear Darlin'." Olly told the crowd, "Ashley, the main man! 15 years ago, I came off a show called The X Factor when I went to the studio and wrote songs. We went around to the radio stations and no one wanted to play, but you did Ashley, and the rest is history... 15 years later we're still here."

Accepting his award, Ashley Tabor-King CBE said, "Thank you to the MITS committee for this truly humbling award, which I am honoured to be receiving in support of Nordoff & Robbins and The Brit Trust. Two life-changing charities and organisations that enable music, and the power of the creative mind, to help people's lives - and we saw earlier just how powerful that can be. I am hugely thankful to the MITS Committee for allowing me to include Global Academy this year. It is immensely important to me to be able to facilitate a teaching ground for the next generation of creators, broadcasters, engineers and entrepreneurs.

I want to say 'thank you' to the wonderful, inspiring, and rewarding, music and media industry sitting in this room tonight, and beyond. This award may have my name on it but really it belongs to an extraordinary group of people who've made the dream of Global a reality. People often say that media is changing. And of course it is. But what hasn't changed, and what must never change, is why we do it. At its core it's about a connection. It's about creativity. It's about giving people a voice and using ours responsibly. And it's just as much about Taylor Swift's fantastic new album, but it's also about an album that no one has heard yet, about that artist who we don't even know yet.

To everyone who's ever believed in this dream, in Global, or in any dream that sounded impossible at first, thank you, and good for you. We need to encourage entrepreneurship and bravery in this country. You will continue to inspire me. And thank you MITS for this gorgeous honour." 

Ashley founded Global in 2007 and has since grown it into one of the world's leading Media & Entertainment groups, and the largest commercial radio and outdoor company in Europe, and a leading force in UK advertising. As Founder & Executive President, he has overseen the growth of Global's industry-leading radio brands including Capital, Heart, Capital XTRA, Classic FM, Radio X, Smooth, Gold Radio and LBC, alongside one of the UK's most popular entertainment apps, Global Player, and a huge slate of award-winning, chart-topping podcasts. On-air, on Global Player and with its outdoor platforms combined, Global reaches 51 million individuals across the UK every week, including 29 million on the radio alone, helping to break new artists, support the live sector and bring music to audiences across the country.

Global has been instrumental in launching and supporting the careers of major artists such as Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, Jessie J, Taylor Swift, and Stormzy. Capital's annual Summertime Ball and Jingle Bell Ball have become landmark live events on the UK music calendar, showcasing homegrown talent and international stars alike. This summer's event welcomed Will Smith, Benson Boone and Mariah Carey to Wembley Stadium as its headliner, marking her first UK performance in six years. 

Global is also a large shareholder in iHeart Radio in the US.

Ashley launched the Global Academy, a unique school and sixth form based in London and specialising in media, entertainment and digital communications, which gives young people from all backgrounds a direct pathway into the creative industries. This year Global Academy will also be part of the MITS.

Ashley is also a committed philanthropist. Global's Make Some Noise raises tens of millions of pounds for small charities across the UK. His charitable efforts have extended to causes including youth opportunity, education and mental health.

Ashley was awarded an OBE in 2017, and a CBE in the King's Birthday Honours List in 2024 for services to media and entertainment.

Ashley has now joined the ranks of previous MITS recipients including Annie Lennox OBE, Kylie Minogue, Rob Stringer CBE, Emma Banks, Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Sir Lucian Grainge, Michael Eavis CBE, Pete Tong MBE, and Roger Daltrey CBE, Jamal Edwards MBE, Lucy Dickins and last year's recipient Jason Iley MBE. 

Celebrating its 33rd edition this year, the Music Industry Trusts Award is recognised as one of the benchmarks of achievement in the UK music business and continues to benefit hugely deserving causes year after year. The MITS Award supports two important charities, the BRIT Trust and Nordoff & Robbins, and is sponsored by ASM Global, PPL, SJM Concerts and YouTube.