The Ivors Academy Names Roberto Neri as New CEO

The Ivors Academy, a U.K.-based songwriter advocacy organization, has named Roberto Neri as its new CEO.

The organization was previously helmed by Graham Davies, who is now the leader of the Digital Media Association (DiMA) in the United States, and interim CEO Charlie Phillips.

Neri has worked in the music publishing business for over 20 years. Previously, he held C-suite roles as CEO of Believe’s publishing operation and CEO and COO of Utopia Music Services. His other previous positions include executive vp/head of business development at Downtown Music, founder/CEO of Eagle-i Music, vp of international at Bug Music and publishing relations manager at PRS for Music.

Additionally, Neri has erved as chair of the Music Publishers’ Association and director of the UK Music, PRS for Music, MCPS and PPL/PRS boards. He is the trustee of Music for My Mind, a charity that provides music therapy for dementia patients and their caretakers.

Established in 1944, The Ivors Academy — previously known as the British Academy of Songwiters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) — advocates for songwriters’ best interests in local politics and in the music business. In recent years, it has campaigned to introduce the EU copyright directive, amplified the #BrokenRecord campaign to call out unfair streaming economy practices and partnered with YouTube Music to host a songwriting camp for members. The organization is perhaps best known for its annual songwriter award ceremony, the Ivor Novello awards, one of the biggest nights in music publishing in the United Kingdom.

“On behalf of the Board and Academy, I am thrilled to welcome Roberto Neri as our new CEO,” said Tom Gray, the Ivors Academy chair. “He brings a huge breadth of industry experience, knowledge and leadership skills. His commitment — and ours to him — is to be the most influential voice for songwriters and composers in the world.”

Neri added, “I am deeply honored and humbled to step into the role of CEO of The Ivors Academy. It is a dream job to fervently advocate for and represent songwriters and composers, who I have been fortunate enough to represent for over two decades globally. I believe now, more than ever, is the pivotal moment to ensure music creators’ interests are protected, championed, valued and recognized for their central and indispensable role in the success of the entire music business.”