Warner Chappell Music co-chair and CEO Guy Moot will receive the U.K.’s Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS) in 2026, becoming the first music publisher to earn the honor. The award recognizes his more than 30-year career in music publishing and his focus on songwriter development and creative leadership.
Moot has led Warner Chappell since 2019 alongside co-chair Carianne Marshall. During his tenure, the company has expanded its roster and catalog, representing songwriters and artists including Dua Lipa, Cardi B, and Zach Bryan, along with estates and catalogs from David Bowie, Madonna, George Michael, and Tom Petty.
The MITS ceremony will take place Nov. 9 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Proceeds from the event will support U.K. music charities The BRIT Trust and Nordoff & Robbins, a music therapy organization.
Moot began his career in music retail before moving into A&R roles in the 1980s with ATV Music and Chrysalis Records. He later joined SBK Music Publishing and advanced through EMI Music Publishing, where he held senior creative and executive roles across the U.K. and Europe. He was involved in the Sony-EMI publishing merger in 2012 and later became president of worldwide creative before joining Warner Chappell’s leadership team.
The MITS Award has historically recognized senior executives and artists across the music industry. Previous recipients include Sir Lucian Grainge, Rob Stringer, Emma Banks, Kylie Minogue, Sir Elton John, and Roger Daltrey. The 2025 honoree was Global founder Ashley Tabor-King.
MITS committee co-chair Toby Leighton-Pope cited Moot’s long-standing influence and international impact in announcing the award.
