The BPI & BRIT Awards are delighted that outstanding British recording artists and performers Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sandé, Sade and Sir Paul McCartney MBE are among those being honoured in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours for their contribution to British music. It's wonderful too that other leading figures in British music who make major contributions in other ways, including Sir Mark Elder CBE, Musical Director of the Hallé Orchestra, Chi Chi Nwanoku MBE, Founder and Artist Director of the Chineke! Foundation, and Sandie Shaw, both as an artist and in more recent years as a key figure in the British music industry representing artists, are also honoured for their work.
We welcome too the recognition of services to philanthropy by Leonard Blavatnik of Warner Music Group and to the media industry by Global Executive President Ashley Tabor.
Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive BPI & BRIT Awards, said:
“We are delighted that outstanding British artists Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sandé, Sade and Sir Paul McCartney - now made a Companion of Honour - are among those honoured for the fantastic contribution they make to British music and the arts both at home and around the world. It's wonderful too to see other leading figures in British music recognised for their work, not least Sandie Shaw, who, both as an artist and as an important figure in the music industry representing other artists, has made a key contribution, Chi Chi Nwanoku, founder of Chineke!, and The Halle Orchestra's Sir Mark Elder. We additionally welcome the recognition of services to philanthropy by Leonard Blavatnik of Warner Music Group and to the media industry By Global Executive President Ashley Tabor.
"The BPI and the BRITs offer them and all the other notable music figures recognised in The Queen’s Birthday Honours heartfelt congratulations, hoping that yet more British talent will continue to be inspired by their remarkable creativity.”
Among his many achievements, Ed Sheeran’s three studio albums to date, +, x and ÷ have garnered 23x Platinum BPI certifications between them, while Ed has also picked up 10 BRIT Award Nominations, four of which have resulted in Awards – for Male Solo Artist in 2012 and 2015, British Breakthrough in 2012 and Mastercard British Album of the Year in 2015 (for x).
Emeli Sandé’s acclaimed album Our Version Of Events has gone on be certified 7x Platinum by the BPI, representing over 2.1 million sales (reflecting streams also), while Long Live the Angels has been certified Gold by the BPI. Emeli has received six BRIT Award Nominations – receiving the Award on four occasions – for Critics’ Choice (2012), Mastercard British Album of the Year (for Our Version of Events in 2013) and British Female Solo Artist (in 2013 & 2017).
We are delighted that outstanding British artists Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sandé, Sade and Sir Paul McCartney - now made a Companion of Honour - are among those honoured for the fantastic contribution they make to British music and the arts both at home and around the world. It's wonderful too to see other leading figures in British music recognised for their work, not least Sandie Shaw, who, both as an artist and as an important figure in the music industry representing other artists, has made a key contribution, Chi Chi Nwanoku, founder of Chineke!, and The Halle Orchestra's Sir Mark Elder. We additionally welcome the recognition of services to philanthropy by Leonard Blavatnik of Warner Music Group and to the media industry By Global Executive President Ashley Tabor.
The BPI and the BRITs offer them and all the other notable music figures recognised in The Queen’s Birthday Honours heartfelt congratulations, hoping that yet more British talent will continue to be inspired by their remarkable creativity.