Jason Iley, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK & Ireland, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Iley joins the Members of the Order of the British Empire, and is recognised for his services to music and charity.
Said Iley: “Receiving this honour for working in an industry I love so much is a total privilege and beyond any expectation I could have had.
“I am immensely grateful to have worked with some of the most talented artists in the world and this is truly a career highlight.
“I’m proud to work in an industry that has such a profound influence on culture and creativity around the world.”
Other music industry figures to receive gongs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours today (October 9) include Joan Armatrading (CBE, adding to her existing MBE), Dylan Mills aka Dizzee Rascal (MBE), ELO’s Jeff Lynne (OBE), bassist Yolanda Charles (MBE), PPL Chairman John Smith (OBE) and the founder of the Blue Horizon label, Mike Vernon (MBE).
Jason Iley started his career in music at Sony in London in 1994, before joining Universal‘s Polydor and then Island Records.
In 2005 he was named Managing Director of Mercury Records, before being promoted to the label’s President.
“I am immensely grateful to have worked with some of the most talented artists in the world and this is truly a career highlight.”
Jason Iley, Sony Music
At Mercury, he worked with the likes of Elton John, Rihanna, Paul McCartney, Jay Z, Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Bon Jovi, Arcade Fire and Metallica.
He also worked closely with U2, who followed Iley from Island to Mercury.
In 2013, Iley was named President of Roc Nation Records in New York, joining forces with Jay Z.
The following year, Iley got an offer he couldn’t refuse – taking over as Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK back in London.
Since then, Iley has overseen successes at Sony Music UK labels via domestic and international artists such as Rag N Bone Man, J Hus, Calvin Harris, Headie One, George Ezra, Pink, Travis Scott, Beyoncé and many more.
Iley was Chairman of the BRITs Committee from 2017-2019, taking responsibility for the BRIT Awards.
Under the exec’s leadership, both Sony and the BRIT Awards have partnered closely with mental health charity Mind.
Today, every senior executive at Sony Music UK has been trained in managing mental health issues through partnerships with Mind and Young Minds.
Iley played an instrumental role in Sony Music’s 2016 acquisition of historic British dance label, Ministry of Sound Recordings.
Under Iley, Sony Music UK has also brought Black Butter, Relentless, Since ’93 and Insanity Records into its family of labels.Music Business Worldwide
