The Ivors Academy

What The Ivors Academy does

The Ivors Academy (legally The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors Ltd) is a UK not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, founded in 1944 as the Composers Guild of Great Britain and operating under its current brand since 2019. It is the membership body for songwriters and composers, with a tiered offering (Discovery free, Core £99/yr, Professional £179/yr, Patron custom) that has grown fivefold since the 2024 relaunch. The Academy serves three core functions for its members: Protect (rights advocacy, campaigning on AI, streaming, ghostwriting and fair commissioning, plus insurance, legal/accountancy referrals, and standardised per-diem claims at major label sessions); Empower (Knowledge Toolkit, Industry Contract Templates, mentoring, writing camps with YouTube Music, funding directory, member discounts platform, and Copydan royalty distribution); and Celebrate (The Ivors / Ivor Novello Awards, The Ivors Composer Awards, The Ivors Academy Honours, and Fellowship).

Revenue is generated through annual membership subscriptions (with monthly billing options), a portfolio of corporate supporters and title sponsors (Amazon Music for The Ivors; PRS for Music for Classical Awards and award categories; YouTube Music, Meta, TikTok, ABRSM, ICE Services, Neumann Berlin), and ticketed annual events including Ivors Week, the Ivors Academy Summit, and songwriting camps. The organisation operates with a staff team of approximately 30, led by Chief Executive Roberto Neri and President Elton John, and is governed by a Board of Directors, a Senate, and genre/regional councils. There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery runs through a web-based members portal alongside in-person events, workshops and ceremonies. In February 2026, the Academy launched its first formal international presence, The Ivors Academy in Ireland, in partnership with IMRO.

Name

The Ivors Academy

Legal name

The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors Ltd

Website

https://ivorsacademy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Ivors Academy is a UK not-for-profit membership organisation founded in 1944 that protects, empowers, and celebrates songwriters and composers through tiered memberships, professional services, policy advocacy, and the Ivor Novello Awards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Industry Membership Organization

NAICS

Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (7115), Educational Support Services (611710)

akta.pro primary industry

Royalty Accounting & Payment Services (Statements, Audits, Payee Management) (MPAIABAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Royalty Auditing, Compliance & Anti-Piracy/Enforcement (MPAIAKAE)

Keywords

• Songwriter membership organization
• Music industry advocacy
• Professional composer association
• Music awards ceremonies
• Copyright protection campaigns

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: The organization generates revenue through annual membership fees at multiple tiers: Discovery (free), Core (£99/year), Professional (£179/year), and Patron (enquire for pricing). Core and Professional tiers offer monthly payment options.
2. Corporate and supporter partnerships: Revenue generated through corporate supporter packages, title sponsorships of awards ceremonies (e.g., Amazon Music as title sponsor for The Ivors), and academic supporter arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Ivors Academy is a not-for-profit membership organisation that provides tiered subscriptions to songwriters and composers, delivering services such as insurance, legal and accountancy referrals, per diems, mentoring, contract templates and award entry discounts. It also runs the Ivor Novello Awards, The Ivors Composer Awards and The Ivors Academy Honours, and campaigns on copyright, AI and streaming policy on behalf of its members.

Product overview

The Ivors Academy is a not-for-profit membership organization serving as the leading global community for songwriters and composers. The organization offers a tiered membership structure (Discovery, Core, Professional, and Patron) providing benefits including the prestigious Ivor Novello Awards (The Ivors), The Ivors Composer Awards, and The Ivors Academy Honours. Members access practical services such as per diem claims, insurance, legal and accountancy referrals, the Knowledge Toolkit, industry contract templates, and mentorship programs. The Academy runs annual events including Ivors Week, the Ivors Academy Summit, and songwriting camps in partnership with YouTube Music. Beyond membership, the Academy operates major campaigns on copyright protection, AI exploitation, fair streaming, fair commissioning, and ending ghostwriting in media composition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Ivors (Ivor Novello Awards) Annual peer-judged awards ceremony (held in May) recognising exceptional craft, cultural impact and enduring importance of songs and screen compositions. Open to eligible songwriters and composers, with the 71st edition titled The Ivors with Amazon Music on 21 May 2026.
• The Ivors Composer Awards Annual awards ceremony for composers in classical, contemporary and media music, recognising excellence across live performance, recordings, community engagement, film, television and video games. Held 17 November 2026 as part of The Ivors Composer Week.
• The Ivors Academy Honours Annual ceremony recognising industry champions who are setting higher standards and driving best practice for songwriters and composers across the sector. Next ceremony 1 October 2026.
• Fellowship of The Ivors Academy The highest honour bestowed by The Ivors Academy, recognising exceptional achievement in the art and craft of composition and songwriting. Conferred on songwriters and composers such as Thom Yorke, Paul McCartney, Anne Dudley and U2.
• Discovery Membership Free membership tier for songwriters and composers aged 18+ providing access to news, in-person events, webinars, industry contract templates, career guides and on-demand content (with paid elements from £2.99 each).
• Core Membership Paid membership at £99/year (£9.99/month) including free access to mixers, workshops, panels, webinars, templates and on-demand content; £2 million public liability insurance, £2,000 equipment insurance, professional indemnity insurance discounts, accountancy advice, legal referral service, mentoring, member discounts and 50% off Ivor Novello Award entries.
• Professional Membership Premium membership at £179/year (£16.49/month) including all Core benefits plus £5 million public liability insurance, £5,000 equipment insurance, enhanced legal referral service, ability to become a mentor, exclusive travel and business offers, 75% off Ivor Novello Award entries, 50% off award ceremony tickets, and eligibility to stand for Board, Senate and committee elections.
• Insurance Services Automatic insurance coverage bundled with membership: Core includes £2 million public liability and £2,000 equipment cover; Professional includes £5 million public liability and £5,000 equipment cover. Optional professional indemnity insurance covers copyright/IP infringement, breach of contract, data breaches and libel/slander claims.
• Legal Referral Service Service for Core and Professional members to connect with music-industry-experienced lawyers, including a 30-minute free initial consultation on legal matters relating to professional creative work.
• Accountancy Advice Service One-hour consultation with music and entertainment financial advisors (delivered via Prager Metis) available to Core and Professional members.
• Per Diems Claim Service Standardised claim service enabling songwriters to claim £75 per-day non-recoupable per diems when attending UK major record label writing sessions, supported across Sony Music Group UK, Universal Music Group UK and Warner Music Group UK labels.
• Knowledge Toolkit Free, practical digital resource on the business of making music, developed by songwriters, composers and global music industry experts, providing clear guidance on professional growth.
• Industry Contract Templates Library of example contracts for songwriters and composers including commissioning agreements, songwriting agreements and sync licences, helping members familiarise themselves with industry-standard contract types.
• Copydan Royalties Service Royalty distribution service collecting and distributing Copydan royalties on behalf of the Danish collective management organisation for UK songwriters and composers whose music has been copied in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
• Co-Pilot Mentoring Programme Volunteer-led mentoring network delivered in partnership with Help Musicians, in which Professional members can become mentors and members seeking guidance are paired with experienced mentors.
• Ivors Academy x YouTube Songwriting Camp Annual songwriting camp bringing together UK songwriters, producers and artists for collaboration and networking, hosted at Qube Studios Canary Wharf with per diems, transport and catering included; open by application to Core and Professional members.
• Community Forum Online community platform where members can post queries, find guidance, share career experiences and support one another in building sustainable careers, governed by a Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy.
• Funding Resources Directory Curated directory of funding opportunities for songwriters and composers including Help Musicians, PRS Foundation, Sound and Music, British Council, and national arts councils for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, plus classical-specific and welfare/emergency funding.
• Member Discounts Platform Discount platform offering Core and Professional members estimated savings of approximately £1,400–£1,850 annually on everyday spending, including music equipment, technology, health, groceries and exclusive travel and business offers.
• Ivors Academy Summit Annual day-long event held during Ivors Week at BFI IMAX London featuring conversations, panels and practical sessions exploring the future of music-making, creative rights, technology and the business of songwriting.

Quantifiable outcome

• Secured adoption of unrecoupable per diems for songwriters at major label writing sessions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Amazon MusicflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Amazon Music is the title sponsor for The Ivors in a collaboration that amplifies and scales the celebration of songwriters and screen composers globally. This is the primary naming rights partnership for the Ivor Novello Awards ceremony.
• PRS for MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner working closely with The Ivors Academy across campaigns, policy, education and award sponsorship. Sponsors The Ivors Classical Awards and two Ivor Novello categories: Most Performed Work and Icon Awards.
• YouTube MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for annual Songwriting Camps held at Qube Canary Wharf in London. Third annual camp in June 2026, bringing together songwriters, producers, and artists for collaboration and networking.
• ABRSMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates to promote opportunities to write for music education. Since 2021, they have run an annual Composer Mentoring Programme called 'Writing for Music Education'. ABRSM also sponsors Best Community and Participation Composition at the Ivors Classical Awards.
• ICE ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationPurpose-driven organisation founded by rightsholders, for rightsholders. Shares passion to ensure songwriters and music creators are fairly paid for their work. Co-presenter of The Ivors Academy Summit 2026.
• MetaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration supports songwriters and composers through key events and educational opportunities, helping build skills, connect with industry networks and reach new audiences across Meta's platforms including Instagram.
• TikTokminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWork with TikTok centres on increasing educational opportunities and awareness of best practice when promoting and curating music. TikTok is a corporate supporter.
• IMROcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Irish Music Rights Organisation for the launch of The Ivors Academy in Ireland. IMRO Chairman Eleanor McEvoy welcomed the initiative, which will deepen advocacy and expand opportunities for creators.
• UK MusiccoreOthersUK Music is the collective voice of the UK's world-leading music industry, representing all sectors. The Ivors Academy works with UK Music on industry advocacy and policy.
• Attitude is EverythingminorOthersConnects disabled people with music and live event industries to improve accessibility. Industry organisation partner.
• British Copyright CouncilminorOthersThe voice for copyright in the UK. Industry organisation partner working on copyright advocacy.
• Council of Music MakerscoreOthersBrings together organisations that represent those who compose, record, perform and produce music. Works with The Ivors Academy on campaigns including AI and copyright.
• ECSAminorOthersEuropean Composer and Songwriter Alliance defends and promotes the rights of composers and songwriters to improve their social and economic conditions and artistic freedom.
• Youth MusicminorOthersNational charity funded thanks to the National Lottery via Arts Council England, supporting music creators and youth music education.
• ACMminorOthersMusic school academic supporter providing students with business practical knowledge to start careers in music, with discounted membership for students and staff.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• ASCAP: US performing rights organisation and membership body for more than 900,000 songwriters, composers, and publishers. Comparable as a songwriter-focused membership organisation with a strong policy voice, though at significantly larger scale and operating as a PRO that collects and distributes performance royalties.
• BMI: US performing rights organisation representing more than 1.4 million songwriters, composers, and publishers. Closely comparable songwriter/composer membership and advocacy model, but as a major PRO with global reach rather than a UK-centred non-profit advocacy and awards body.
• BPI (British Phonographic Industry): UK trade association representing record labels and the recorded music sector, active on policy, awards (the BRITs), and industry campaigns. Overlaps with the Academy on UK music policy advocacy and the awards-franchise model, but represents labels rather than songwriters and composers.

Regional players

• GEMA: German performing rights organisation representing more than 75,000 members of composers, lyricists, and music publishers. Comparable songwriter/composer membership and royalty-distribution model in a major European music market, providing a relevant peer for cross-European rights and AI policy benchmarking.
• IMRO (Irish Music Rights Organisation): Irish performing rights organisation collecting and distributing royalties for songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Academy's launch partner for its Ireland expansion, and the most direct regional counterpart for songwriter representation in the Irish market.
• ECSA (European Composer and Songwriter Alliance): European umbrella alliance of national songwriter and composer associations, including a partnership with The Ivors Academy on EU-level campaigns. Comparable as a representative body for European composers, but operating at supranational level rather than as a national membership and awards body.

Direct peers

• Songwriters Hall of Fame: US non-profit dedicated to recognising the work of songwriters and composers through an annual induction ceremony, songwriters' workshops, and educational programmes. Mirrors the Academy's combination of elite recognition, education, and songwriter community — the closest transatlantic analogue to the Ivor Novello Awards model.
• Musicians' Union: UK trade union for musicians, including songwriters and composers, with tiered membership, legal advice, and campaigning on fair pay, AI, and streaming. Closely comparable mission (collective representation for working musicians) and the Academy runs joint campaigns (e.g., Fair Score) with the MU, including a 25% joint membership discount.
• PRS for Music: UK collecting society and membership organisation that pays royalties to songwriters, composers, and music publishers. Most directly comparable to The Ivors Academy in the UK: same songwriter/composer constituency, membership-based, and active on copyright, AI, and streaming reform — though PRS is a collective management organisation (PRO) rather than an advocacy and awards body.

Others

• Help Musicians: UK charity providing health, welfare, and career support to musicians, including the Co-Pilot mentoring programme co-delivered with The Ivors Academy. Adjacent as a UK music-sector non-profit serving a similar constituency, though focused on welfare and grants rather than advocacy and awards.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/theivorsacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ivors-academy
• TikToktiktok.com/@ivorsacademy
• Xx.com/IvorsAcademy
• Facebookfacebook.com/IvorsAcademy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Ivors Academy