CEO of Sony Music Entertainment worldwide Rob Stringer is to be honoured with the prestigious Music Industry Trusts Award, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the music industry. In a career spanning more than three decades, he has undoubtedly become one of the most respected and admired people in the business.

David Munns OBE, chairman of the MITS Award committee, said: "Rob's extraordinary perception of how talent and artistry develops has brought him to the pinnacle of achievement in the music business. He is acknowledged and admired by colleagues, peers and competitors alike, while artists around the world value his integrity and support. This is what we aim to recognise every year with the Music Industry Trusts Award, and there's no one more deserving of the honour than Rob".

The award will be presented this November, at a gala ceremony held in aid of the BRIT Trust and Nordoff Robbins. Rob Stringer will follow in the footsteps of previous recipients including Sir George Martin, Sir Elton John, Sir Lucian Grainge CBE, Michael Eavis CBE, Simon Cowell and Annie Lennox OBE. 

A lifelong Luton Town FC fanatic, Rob started his career in London at CBS Records as a graduate trainee in 1985. Quickly rising through the ranks, he became Managing Director of Epic Records in 1992, and Chairman of Sony Music UK in 2001. During this time, he worked closely with top UK artists including The Clash, Manic Street Preachers, Jamiroquai, Sade and the late George Michael.

Stringer went on to be appointed Chairman of Sony Music Entertainment's Columbia Records in the US in 2008, and can be credited with the label's recent stratospheric rise. With a label roster boasting some of the world's most iconic artists, notably AC/DC, Bob Dylan, Celine Dion, Pharrell Williams and Bruce Springsteen, Stringer has overseen a number of the most ground-breaking releases of the last decade, including record-breaking "25" by Adele, the cutting-edge visual album "Lemonade" by Beyoncé and "Blackstar", the final studio album by David Bowie, whom he personally worked very closely with. Stringer's most recent accomplishments include contributing to the monumental mainstream success of EDM-pop duo The Chainsmokers and more recently nurturing Harry Styles' breakout solo career. Rob was promoted to CEO of Sony Music Entertainment worldwide in October last year. 

Rob Stringer said: "With its longstanding history in recognising British talent in the music industry, and continued support of two brilliant charities, The BRIT Trust and Nordoff Robbins, it is a true honour to join such illustrious company and be given the MITS Award this year".

Celebrating its 26^th year, the Music Industry Trusts Award has become recognised as one of the true benchmarks of achievement in the UK music business, and continues to benefit great causes year after year.

Rob has already personally received a number of awards throughout his career, including UJA's Music Visionary of the Year in 2013, presented by Adele, the 'Strat' Award for Outstanding Lifetime Achievement from Music Week in 2014, and the Clive Davis Visionary Award from Billboard magazine in 2016. 

The Music Industry Trusts Award supports two important charities – the BRIT Trust and Nordoff Robbins and is sponsored by Ingenious Media, PPL, SJM and Spotify.

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