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The latest New Year\u2019s Honours list was revealed in the UK last week \u2013 and it included some familiar music stars and industry figures.<\/p>\n
Amongst those with new titles are:<\/p>\n
Welcoming the news of UK artists and music industry recipients of The King\u2019s New Year Honours for 2026,\u00a0BPI<\/a> CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE and BPI Chair YolanDa Brown OBE DL, jointly said: \u201cBritish music and artists make a huge contribution to our national life and to our standing around the world \u2013 both culturally and economically \u2013 and we are delighted that their importance is again being recognised in The King\u2019s New Year Honours.<\/p>\n \u201cOur 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\u2019s also wonderful to see important work by artists to promote biodiversity and climate being acknowledged.\u201d<\/p>\n You can see the full King\u2019s 2026 New Year Honours List here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI am deeply grateful to have been recognised today,\u201d said Richter in an Instagram post<\/a>. \u201cThis recognition, and receiving a CBE, is something I am profoundly thankful for. I\u2019ve been lucky enough to have spent most of the last few decades\u2019 writing, performing, recording and thinking about music.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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<\/b> staff across six companies operating from offices in \u00a0London, Sheffield, Brighton and Berlin, producing vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and bespoke packaging for the music industry.<\/p>\n Key Production Group <\/b>operates through Key Production, Key Production EU, [PIAS<\/a>] Production, Think Tank Creative, Breed Media <\/b>and Modo Design.<\/b> The company serves major and independent record labels and individual artists.<\/p>\n 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 <\/b>and Nick Cave<\/b>, working with distributors including Universal Music<\/a>, [PIAS], EGA Distro, The Orchard<\/a><\/b> and more.<\/p>\n Commenting on the OBE award, Emanuel said: \u201cI am truly blown away. To be awarded an OBE and recognized in this esteemed list is an incredible privilege that I\u2019m 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\u2019t be on this list today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am truly blown away. To be awarded an OBE and recognized in this esteemed list is an incredible privilege that I\u2019m hugely grateful for.\u201d<\/p>\n Karen Emanuel, Key Production Group<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Under Emanuel\u2019s leadership, Key Production says it managed to reduce plastic jewel case usage by 50% <\/b>between 2017 and 2025, with 90%<\/b> of CD packaging now using card alternatives. The company has also promoted bio-attributed vinyl, which now represents 12% <\/b>of its vinyl production.<\/p>\n In 2023, Key Production said it became the first music manufacturing company to achieve B Corp <\/b>certification. Last year, Emanuel converted the company into an Employee Ownership Trust.<\/b> The company said Emanuel has also worked to address gender imbalances in the music manufacturing and distribution industry. She founded \u042fevolution\u01a7<\/b>, formerly Moving the Needle<\/b>, 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.<\/p>\n Emanuel said: \u201cIt\u2019s been a long road here and I\u2019m 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\u2019s still lots to do, but I\u2019ll continue to work hard towards making the industry a better place with each day.\u201d<\/p>\n Music Business Worldwide<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n