Roberto Neri has been appointed as the next Chief Executive Officer of The Ivors Academy in the UK.
He will start the role on April 15, taking over from Interim CEO Charlie Phillips.
The Ivors Academy is a trade body in the UK that works in the interests of British songwriters, in addition to hosting the annual Ivor Novello Awards.
The Ivors Academy has existed following a rebrand in 2019, but the body itself dates back to the 1940s, when the Composers Guild of Great Britain and the Songwriters Guild of Great Britain were established.
Along the way, these bodies were folded into the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) which then became the Ivors Academy. The Ivor Novello Awards (commonly known as The Ivors) have existed since 1956.
Neri’s previous roles include Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer at Utopia Music Services, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Development at Downtown Music, Founder and CEO at Eagle-i Music and Vice President of International at Bug Music Ltd.
The exec was most recently CEO of the publishing arm of Believe, a role he started last April. His appointment at Believe followed the company’s acquisition of publishing company Sentric Music Group (in a deal valued at $51 million) from Utopia.
Neri began his career in music as Publisher Relations Manager at PRS for Music.
Neri has also served on a range of music industry Boards; as Chair of the Music Publishers Association and Director on UK Music, PRS for Music, MCPS and PPL/PRS Boards.
He is currently a Trustee of Music For My Mind, a charity that enhances the lives of dementia patients and their carers through the power of music.
“On behalf of the Board and Academy, I am thrilled to welcome Roberto Neri as our new CEO. He brings a huge breadth of industry experience, knowledge and leadership skills.”
Tom Gray, The Ivors Academy
Tom Gray, Chair of The Ivors Academy, said: “On behalf of the Board and Academy, I am thrilled to welcome Roberto Neri as our new CEO. He brings a huge breadth of industry experience, knowledge and leadership skills.
“His commitment – and ours to him – to be the most influential voice for songwriters and composers in the world.”
“It is a dream job to fervently advocate for and represent songwriters and composers, who I have been fortunate enough to represent for over two decades globally.”
Roberto Neri
Roberto Neri added: “I am deeply honoured and humbled to step into the role of CEO of The Ivors Academy.
“It is a dream job to fervently advocate for and represent songwriters and composers, who I have been fortunate enough to represent for over two decades globally.
“I believe now, more than ever, is the pivotal moment to ensure music creators’ interests are protected, championed, valued and recognised for their central and indispensable role in the success of the entire music business.”Music Business Worldwide
