Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO of Warner Chappell Music (WCM), the global publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS).
The award, in its 34th year, will be presented to Moot on Monday, November 9, at a ceremony at Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
According to the MITS Award announcement, Moot is the first music publisher to receive the recognition. The announcement noted that the award recognizes Moot‘s 30+ year career, his “songwriter-first” philosophy, and “a lifelong commitment to music’s power to educate, heal, and transform lives.”
Proceeds from the event will support two UK music charities: The BRIT Trust, a core funder of The BRIT School, and music therapy charity Nordoff & Robbins.
Moot began his career in record shops before moving into A&R roles in 1984 at ATV Music and Chrysalis Records. He joined SBK Music Publishing in 1987, which later merged with EMI Music Publishing.
He was appointed EVP of A&R for the UK and Europe at EMI in 2003, before becoming UK Managing Director and President of European Creative two years later. The MITS said EMI was named Music Week Publisher of the Year for 14 consecutive years under his leadership.
Signings during his time at EMI included Amy Winehouse, Anne-Marie, Arctic Monkeys, Calvin Harris, Deadmau5, Jamiroquai, Jorja Smith, Lana Del Rey, Mark Ronson, Paul Epworth, Scissor Sisters, and Sean Paul, according to the announcement.
In 2012, Moot played a role in leading the Sony and EMI merger in Europe. He was named President of Worldwide Creative in 2017, and when Sony completed its full acquisition of EMI in 2018, he continued in the role, overseeing signings including Arcade Fire, Charli xcx, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Sia, and Stargate.
Moot was appointed Co-Chair and CEO of Warner Chappell Music in April 2019, taking charge alongside Co-Chair and COO Carianne Marshall.
The MITS announcement says WCM has “doubled the size of the business” under their leadership. As MBW previously reported, the publisher’s quarterly revenue had already grown by over 90% within their first four years in charge.
That trajectory has continued. According to Warner Music Group’s most recent quarterly filing, music publishing revenues at Warner Chappell Music were up 9.6% YoY at constant currency to $353 million in calendar Q1 2026.
“I’ve spent my whole life championing creators and finding the next generation of talent who deserve a pathway in.”
GUY MOOT
Since 2019, WCM has signed and retained both established and emerging artists, songwriters, and producers, including Amy Allen, Anderson .Paak, Cardi B, Celeste, Coco Jones, Dua Lipa, Laufey, Lizzo, RAYE, ROSÉ, Saweetie, Stromae, Teddy Swims, and Zach Bryan, as well as some of music’s most iconic legends and their catalogues, among them David Bowie, George Michael, Madonna, Quincy Jones, and Tom Petty.
Said Moot: “To be the first publisher to receive the MITS Award is a real honour, and one that I hope serves as a celebration of songwriters and the extraordinary value of their music.”
“I’ve spent my whole life championing creators and finding the next generation of talent who deserve a pathway in. The BRIT Trust has a proven track record of building careers and opening doors for young people who might never otherwise get the chance.”
“And Nordoff & Robbins reminds us why music matters in the first place – its profound ability to reach people in a way that nothing else can. I’m proud to support both, and humbled to receive this recognition.”
Toby Leighton-Pope, Co-Chair of the MITS Award Committee, said: “Few people in our industry have had a career as extensive and influential as Guy’s. His impact reaches far beyond the UK, making this year’s recognition especially significant.”
“From his early days in a record store to becoming one of the industry’s most senior executives, his commitment to music has never wavered. Congratulations to Guy on this well-deserved MITS Award and on an exceptional career to date.”
“His impact reaches far beyond the UK, making this year’s recognition especially significant.”
Toby Leighton-Pope, MITS Award Committee
Dan Chalmers, the other Co-Chair of the MITS Award Committee, added: “Guy has long been a steadfast champion of songwriters, something that remains vitally important in today’s music landscape. His commitment to integrity and core values has helped shape the careers of many of the industry’s most respected artists.”
“Guy has long been a steadfast champion of songwriters, something that remains vitally important in today’s music landscape.”
Dan Chalmers, MITS Award Committee
Moot joins 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, Roger Daltrey CBE, Jamal Edwards MBE, Lucy Dickins, Jason Iley MBE, and last year’s recipient, Global founder Ashley Tabor-King CBE.
The BRIT Trust was established by UK record labels and the BPI in 1989 and has distributed more than £30 million in grants to UK causes that promote education and wellbeing through music.
The MITS Award is sponsored by Legends Global, PPL, SJM Concerts, and YouTube.Music Business Worldwide
