The latest New Year’s Honours list was revealed in the UK last week – and it included some familiar music stars and industry figures.
Amongst those with new titles are:
- Sir Idris Elba (Activist, Actor and Musician, who received a knighthood for services to Young People);
- Karen Ruth Emanuel OBE (Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Key Production Group, for services to Music);
- Phil Patterson OBE (Former sector specialist at the Department for Business and Trade, for work on music trade and exports);
- Cynthia Erivo MBE (actor, Singer, Producer and Author, for services to music and drama);
- Ellie Goulding MBE (singer, for services to biodiversity and the climate);
- Eve Graham MBE (who found fame as the singer with the New Seekers, for services to the music industry.);
- Janet Fischer MBE (Chief Executive Officer, Live Music Now and Co-Chair, Intra Community Trust, for services to Music and to Charity);
- Max Richter CBE (Composer, for services to Music).
Welcoming the news of UK artists and music industry recipients of The King’s New Year Honours for 2026, BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE and BPI Chair YolanDa Brown OBE DL, jointly said: “British music and artists make a huge contribution to our national life and to our standing around the world – both culturally and economically – and we are delighted that their importance is again being recognised in The King’s New Year Honours.
“Our sincere congratulations and best wishes to all the talented honourees, and we extend our appreciation and thanks for the exceptional service they have given to music and to the UK music industry. It’s also wonderful to see important work by artists to promote biodiversity and climate being acknowledged.”
You can see the full King’s 2026 New Year Honours List here.
“I am deeply grateful to have been recognised today,” said Richter in an Instagram post. “This recognition, and receiving a CBE, is something I am profoundly thankful for. I’ve been lucky enough to have spent most of the last few decades’ writing, performing, recording and thinking about music.
“I have written concert works, records, dozens of film and TV scores, ballets, and opera. For me, the opportunity to spend my life doing what I dreamed of doing when I was a child continues to be an immense privilege, and one I never take for granted.”
For Karen Emanuel, the recognition, announced last week (December 29, 2025), caps a 35-year career that started when Emanuel founded Key Production as a one-woman operation in 1990. The company now employs nearly 70 staff across six companies operating from offices in London, Sheffield, Brighton and Berlin, producing vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and bespoke packaging for the music industry.
Key Production Group operates through Key Production, Key Production EU, [PIAS] Production, Think Tank Creative, Breed Media and Modo Design. The company serves major and independent record labels and individual artists.
Emanuel began working in music at Rough Trade Distribution in 1988 before launching her own business two years later. Key Production has since manufactured products for artists including Oasis, Little Simz, Idles and Nick Cave, working with distributors including Universal Music, [PIAS], EGA Distro, The Orchard and more.
Commenting on the OBE award, Emanuel said: “I am truly blown away. To be awarded an OBE and recognized in this esteemed list is an incredible privilege that I’m hugely grateful for. I dedicate this to my passionate team around me, who make Key Production Group what it is, by providing the best physical music products for the music industry. Without them, I wouldn’t be on this list today.”
“I am truly blown away. To be awarded an OBE and recognized in this esteemed list is an incredible privilege that I’m hugely grateful for.”
Karen Emanuel, Key Production Group
Under Emanuel’s leadership, Key Production says it managed to reduce plastic jewel case usage by 50% between 2017 and 2025, with 90% of CD packaging now using card alternatives. The company has also promoted bio-attributed vinyl, which now represents 12% of its vinyl production.
In 2023, Key Production said it became the first music manufacturing company to achieve B Corp certification. Last year, Emanuel converted the company into an Employee Ownership Trust.
The company said Emanuel has also worked to address gender imbalances in the music manufacturing and distribution industry. She founded ЯevolutionƧ, formerly Moving the Needle, a nonprofit providing mentoring and peer support for women entering the industry. The organization has hosted events on workplace issues including mental health, menopause and pay equity.
Emanuel said: “It’s been a long road here and I’m incredibly proud to have played a part in leveling the playing field for women in music and shaping a more sustainable physical music industry. There’s still lots to do, but I’ll continue to work hard towards making the industry a better place with each day.”
Music Business Worldwide
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