The recipient of the 2025 Music Industry Trust Awards is… Ashley Tabor-King CBE!

We’re thrilled to announce that Ashley Tabor-King CBE will be the recipient of the 2025 Music Industry Trust Awards. The Founder and Executive President of Global Media & Entertainment group will receive this year’s prestigious award in recognition of a famous two-decade career that has changed the face of the British music industry and broadcasting.

About the Music Industry Trust Award (MITS)

First held in 1992, the Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS) celebrates individuals who have made a significant impact on the UK music industry and consistently championed its future. Ashley Tabor-King CBE will join the high-calibre roster of previous Music Industry Trust Awards 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.

The award will be presented to Tabor-King on Monday 3 November 2025 at The Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane. This inspirational evening brings together some of the biggest names from across the music industry. As well as celebrating Tabor-King’s achievements, they will be raising vital funds for us as well as the The BRIT Trust. And we’re so grateful for their continued support. This year, the MITS will also recognise Global Academy and The BRIT School.

Celebrating Ashley Tabor-King CBE

Ashley Tabor-King CBE has been a driving force behind the transformation of commercial radio, the growth of Global’s music and entertainment businesses, and a passionate supporter of British music and talent.

Tabor-King is recognised with the 2025 Music Industry Trust Award not only for his entrepreneurial vision and industry influence, but for his unwavering commitment to nurturing talent, supporting communities and using music as a force for good.

Tabor-King founded Global in 2007 and has since grown it into one of the world’s leading
media and 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 Balls have become landmark live events in 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.

Tabor-King 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.

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

You can find out more about Tabor-King’s incredible career on the Music Industry Trusts Award website.

A word from Ashley Tabor-King

Ashley Tabor-King CBE says: “I’m extremely honoured to receive the prestigious Music Industry Trust Award and am delighted that the awards night will be supporting the important work of The BRIT Trust and Nordoff and Robbins, two extremely important charities in our industry whose work is very close to my heart. I’m also delighted and grateful to MITS for including Global Academy this year. I’m deeply humbled by this
recognition and would like to thank everyone who has supported Global along the way, and of course thank you to the MITS Award committee for this great honour.”

A word from the committee

Co-chair of the MITS Award committee, Toby Leighton-Pope says: “Ashley has redefined what a modern media business looks like. He took Global from an idea to a company that sets the pace for the entire industry. His influence is undeniable and this year’s MITS Award is a well-earned recognition. Congratulations, Ashley.”

Co-chair of the MITS Award committee, Dan Chalmers added: “Ashley has built one of the most successful entertainment groups in Europe, transforming commercial radio and creating a full-scale entertainment powerhouse. At the same time, his work has consistently opened doors, whether for artists breaking through or for young people entering the industry. He’s grown a major business without ever losing sight of what
matters. That’s what makes this honour so deserved.”