The British A&R community was out in force for MBW's annual A&R Awards in London Tuesday, where Rob Stringer paid tribute to A&R Icon Simon Cowell and a number of rising and established stars were honored.
Atlantic Records won Major Label and Matt Healy from The 1975 presented his “noble” manager and label boss, Dirty Hit founder Jamie Oborne with the Sir George Martin gong. Other A&R winners included Joe Kentish of Warner Bros for pop/R&B; hip-hop/grime went to Benny Scarrs, Jack Foster and artist Dave from NBR Hood; electronic dance to Mike Pickering & Julian Palmer from Columbia; alt/rock went to Charlie Christie and Theo Lalic from September Management; and the adult contemporary trophy was handed to Dominic Fyfe from Decca Classics. Rising star at Virgin EMI Lunick Bourgess was given the Trailblazer gong by boss Ted Cockle.
Publisher winners were Good Soldier and BMG; the management award went to UROK and indie label to Domino. Producer of the year was Steve Mac and songwriter was Camille Purcell.
