Stormzy, James Blake and Emily Eavis Honoured by The Ivors Academy

The Ivors Academy Honours 2026 recognized Stormzy, James Blake, and Glastonbury’s Emily Eavis for their contributions to music and industry leadership. The ceremony, held at the Intercontinental London on Park Lane on Thursday, October 1, celebrated creators and executives advancing standards in songwriting and composition. Honourees included artists, producers, and industry figures for their advocacy, innovation, and cultural impact.

James Blake, a Grammy-winning artist, was honored for his artistry and advocacy. His 2024 album Trying Times marked his first independent release, following a split from Republic Records. Blake has produced work for Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, and Jay-Z, among others. The award was presented by Ivors Academy CEO Lord Neri and Chair Tom Gray, who highlighted his focus on songwriter rights.

Honorees Recognized for Artistic and Industry Leadership

Emily Eavis, organizer of the Glastonbury Festival, was celebrated for her role in shaping music and culture and supporting emerging talent. She received the award from Elbow frontman Guy Garvey. Stormzy was acknowledged for his influence on British music and culture, particularly through his #Merky initiative. This includes the #Merky Football Careers partnership, a London hub for music, football, and gaming, and a publishing imprint expanded into a literature festival. His scholarship scheme, supporting 30 students annually at Cambridge University, was also noted.

Other Industry Figures Receive Honors for Music Contributions

Other recipients included MNEK, recognized for his work as a songwriter and advocate for LGBTQIA+ artists, and Victor Finn, CEO of IMRO, honored for his two-decade support of Irish songwriters. MNEK’s award was presented by Becky Hill, following his recent advocacy for Trans rights and upcoming album. Chris Meehan, CEO of Sentric Music, was celebrated for advancing fair practices in music publishing. Annie Macmanus, a broadcaster and curator, received an honor from Nick Grimshaw for her role in shaping music culture.

“Congratulations to all of our honourees,” said Lord Neri. “We are proud to honour your achievements.”