Artists and music industry figures have been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours.
The Who’s frontman Roger Daltrey CBE is the latest rock legend to be awarded a knighthood. Now Sir Roger Daltrey, he has been recognised for services to music and charity.
2025 marks 25 years since the Teenage Cancer Trust gigs were founded by Roger Daltrey. They have raised more than £36 million in that period. He remains patron after stepping down last year as curator.
"It is a wonderful honour for me and especially for Teenage Cancer Trust," said Daltrey. "I accept this award not only for myself but on behalf of all the unsung heroes who have given their energy towards making the Teenage Cancer Trust the success it has become.
"The likes of The Who and their fans, Angie Jenkison, Lindsay Hughes, Des Murphy, Rob Ballantine and the late Chris York are some of many who have done so much to elevate the charity, to the point where it now has 28 specialist units in NHS hospitals across the UK."
Singer, actor and BBC Radio 2 broadcaster Elaine Page OBE has been made a Dame in the King’s Honours.
In a statement, BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE and BPI chair YolanDa Brown OBE DL, said: “We’re delighted that Sir Roger Daltrey CBE has been recognised with a Knighthood – it’s richly deserved not just for his remarkable contribution to British music and culture over half a century, but for the tens of millions of pounds that his relentless fundraising and brilliant live performances have generated for Teenage Cancer Trust, among other causes.
“Sir Roger is a true inspiration and we salute him, as we do Dame Elaine Paige and all the other honourees from the worlds of music and the creative arts for enriching our lives with their brilliant human artistry and achievements.”
Sir Roger Daltrey is a true inspiration and we salute him
Dr Jo Twist & YolanDa Brown
“I’d like to send huge congratulations from everyone at BBC Radio 2 to our very own broadcasting legend Elaine Paige on becoming a Dame in the King’s Birthday Honours List,” said Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2. “She keeps the nation entertained every Sunday lunchtime with the perfect mix of musical theatre anthems, and this is a truly fitting honour in her 60th year in showbusiness. We all know there’s nothing like a Dame and now she has the official title to match!”
Others artists in the King’s Birthday Honours include Steve Winwood and 10CC’s Graham Gouldman, who both receive the MBE.
Music education figures are also recognised. Stuart Worden, longstanding principal of The BRIT School – he presented Raye with an award at the ceremony in 2024 – is awarded the OBE for services to creative arts education, music and the creative industries.
Meanwhile, Chase & Status member Will Kennard is awarded the MBE for services to creative arts education and music. Kennard was recently interviewed in Music Week to mark 10 years since he founded East London Arts & Music (ELAM).
Commenting on the honours bestowed on both Stuart Worden and Will Kennard, Dr Jo Twist and YolanDa Brown said: “The BPI extends its warmest congratulations to both Stuart Worden OBE and to Will Kennard MBE, on so deservedly being honoured in The King’s Birthday Honours for their remarkable achievements for the BRIT School and ELAM respectively, and for rightly being recognised as great champions of creative arts education. It is wonderful news for both schools and for the UK recorded music sector and the wider creative industries.`'
Stuart Worden is an inspirational educator
Tony Wadsworth
Tony Wadsworth CBE, chair of the BRIT Trust, said: “My fellow trustees and I are absolutely thrilled that Stuart Worden, principal of the BRIT School, has been recognised in The King’s Birthday Honours with an OBE for the exceptional contribution he has made to the BRIT School and to the creative arts over the past 30 years – vital work the BRIT Trust has been proud to support. He is an inspirational educator and human being, and, as an industry that benefits greatly from the talent the School produces, we all owe him and his staff a huge debt of gratitude.”
He added: “Our sincere congratulations and good wishes to Will Kennard, both as a hugely successful, BRIT-winning artist and as an educational innovator and founder of ELAM, on deservedly being awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. Thanks to Will’s vision and generosity of spirit, the School has enjoyed 10 remarkable years of growth in realising the creative potential of many young Londoners, which the BRIT Trust has been delighted to support.”
Josh Berger CBE, chair of The BRIT School board of trustees, said: “The BRIT School is widely recognised as one of the leading performing and creative arts schools in the world. This is due, in no small part, to Stuart’s inspired leadership. He has dedicated his life to the personal and creative development of thousands of children. Many supremely talented individuals have passed through the halls of the BRIT School and gone on to achieve global success in the entertainment industry. They all share one defining characteristic, that they have benefitted from Stuart’s steadfast belief in nurturing creativity and talent in each and every one of the students in his charge to the fullest extent possible.”
There was also an MBE for Pamela McCormick, CEO of UD, the East London music education and talent development initiative.
Pamela McCormick MBE said: “I’m incredibly honoured to receive this recognition, but it’s really a testament to the collective effort behind UD. From our amazing team – both past and present – to our collaborators, funders, artists and the young people who place their trust in us, this work has always been about community.
“UD has never been just about one person. It’s about creating a platform for talent that’s too often overlooked – and that takes a village. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with dedicated trustees including Lord Victor Adebowale CBE and Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE; and colleagues including Laura Brosnan, Hazel Durrant, George Ebenezer, Chantelle Fiddy, Kadian Foster, Andy Gilbert, Charlie Ogbechie, Natalie Maddix, Sherelle Mckenzie, Eunice Obianagha, Jade Richardson, Rebecca Wren; alongside partners who share our belief that young people from all backgrounds deserve a place in this industry.
“I remain deeply grateful to every young creative who’s walked through our doors – their talent, drive and resilience inspire everything we do. This MBE is for all of them. I’m proud of what we’ve built together and hopeful for what’s to come.”
Pamela McCormick is a visionary leader who has built something extraordinary
Lord Adebowale
Lord Adebowale CBE, UD interim chair, said: “Pamela is a visionary leader who has built something extraordinary. What she’s achieved through UD is not just impressive – it’s transformative. Her work has changed the landscape for music education and for the industry as a whole, giving thousands of young people access to real opportunity.
“She has a rare combination of creative insight, strategic leadership and genuine humility. While she would never seek the spotlight, Pamela has quietly driven some of the most important developments in inclusive talent development in the UK. She’s nurtured artists, mentored executives and built a nationally recognised organisation from the ground up.
“This honour is richly deserved – not just for her accomplishments, but for the legacy she continues to shape for future generations.”
There are also honours for British Underground’s Crispin Parry (MBE), former BBC Proms director David Pickard (OBE) and Young Voices founder David Lewis (OBE).
PHOTO: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
