The most recent New Yr’s Honours listing was revealed within the UK final week – and it included some acquainted music stars and trade figures.
Amongst these with new titles are:
- Sir Idris Elba (Activist, Actor and Musician, who obtained a knighthood for providers to Younger Folks);
- Karen Ruth Emanuel OBE (Founder and Chief Government Officer, Key Manufacturing Group, for providers to Music);
- Phil Patterson OBE (Former sector specialist on the Division for Enterprise and Commerce, for work on music commerce and exports);
- Cynthia Erivo MBE (actor, Singer, Producer and Creator, for providers to music and drama);
- Ellie Goulding MBE (singer, for providers to biodiversity and the local weather);
- Eve Graham MBE (who discovered fame because the singer with the New Seekers, for providers to the music trade.);
- Janet Fischer MBE (Chief Government Officer, Dwell Music Now and Co-Chair, Intra Group Belief, for providers to Music and to Charity);
- Max Richter CBE (Composer, for providers to Music).
Welcoming the information of UK artists and music trade recipients of The King’s New Yr Honours for 2026, BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE and BPI Chair YolanDa Brown OBE DL, collectively stated: “British music and artists make an enormous contribution to our nationwide life and to our standing all over the world – each culturally and economically – and we’re delighted that their significance is once more being recognised in The King’s New Yr Honours.
“Our honest congratulations and finest needs to all of the proficient honourees, and we lengthen our appreciation and thanks for the distinctive service they’ve given to music and to the UK music trade. It’s additionally great to see vital work by artists to advertise biodiversity and local weather being acknowledged.”
You may see the total King’s 2026 New Yr Honours Record right here.
“I’m deeply grateful to have been recognised right this moment,” stated Richter in an Instagram put up. “This recognition, and receiving a CBE, is one thing I’m profoundly grateful for. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to have spent a lot of the previous few a long time’ writing, performing, recording and eager about music.
“I’ve written live performance works, data, dozens of movie and TV scores, ballets, and opera. For me, the chance to spend my life doing what I dreamed of doing after I was a toddler continues to be an immense privilege, and one I by no means take with no consideration.”
For Karen Emanuel, the popularity, introduced final week (December 29, 2025), caps a 35-year profession that began when Emanuel based Key Manufacturing as a one-woman operation in 1990. The corporate now employs practically 70 workers throughout six firms working from places of work in London, Sheffield, Brighton and Berlin, producing vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and bespoke packaging for the music trade.
Key Manufacturing Group operates via Key Manufacturing, Key Manufacturing EU, [PIAS] Manufacturing, Suppose Tank Inventive, Breed Media and Modo Design. The corporate serves main and unbiased document labels and particular person artists.
Emanuel started working in music at Tough Commerce Distribution in 1988 earlier than launching her personal enterprise two years later. Key Manufacturing has since manufactured merchandise for artists together with Oasis, Little Simz, Idles and Nick Cave, working with distributors together with Common Music, [PIAS], EGA Distro, The Orchard and extra.
Commenting on the OBE award, Emanuel stated: “I’m actually blown away. To be awarded an OBE and acknowledged on this esteemed listing is an unbelievable privilege that I’m massively grateful for. I dedicate this to my passionate staff round me, who make Key Manufacturing Group what it’s, by offering the most effective bodily music merchandise for the music trade. With out them, I wouldn’t be on this listing right this moment.”
“I’m actually blown away. To be awarded an OBE and acknowledged on this esteemed listing is an unbelievable privilege that I’m massively grateful for.”
Karen Emanuel, Key Manufacturing Group
Below Emanuel’s management, Key Manufacturing says it managed to scale back plastic jewel case utilization by 50% between 2017 and 2025, with 90% of CD packaging now utilizing card options. The corporate has additionally promoted bio-attributed vinyl, which now represents 12% of its vinyl manufacturing.
In 2023, Key Manufacturing stated it turned the primary music manufacturing firm to realize B Corp certification. Final yr, Emanuel transformed the corporate into an Worker Possession Belief.
The corporate stated Emanuel has additionally labored to handle gender imbalances within the music manufacturing and distribution trade. She based ЯevolutionƧ, previously Shifting the Needle, a nonprofit offering mentoring and peer help for ladies coming into the trade. The group has hosted occasions on office points together with psychological well being, menopause and pay fairness.
Emanuel stated: “It’s been a protracted street right here and I’m extremely proud to have performed an element in leveling the enjoying subject for ladies in music and shaping a extra sustainable bodily music trade. There’s nonetheless tons to do, however I’ll proceed to work onerous in direction of making the trade a greater place with every day.”
Music Enterprise Worldwide
