Emma Banks to receive 2018 MITs Award

Leading agent Emma Banks is to be awarded the 2018 Music Industry Trusts (MITs) Award in recognition of her contributions to the music industry in a career spanning over 25 years.

Banks, the co-head with Mike Greek of Creative Artists Agency (CAA) London, is a six-time winner of the best agent (‘second-least offensive agent’) award at the Arthur Awards, the live music industry’s Oscars equivalents. The MITs jury describe Banks, who also hosts the Arthurs, as “one of the most successful and respected talent agents in the business, representing a host of major artists and paving the way for women across the industry”.

Her CAA roster includes Katy Perry, Arcade Fire, Florence + the Machine, Kylie Minogue, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lorde and recent signings Muse, Haim and Green Day, while she is also chair of the Nordoff Robbins Silver Clef committee.

David Munns OBE, chairman of the MITs Award committee, comments: “Emma’s innate ability to work with artists, build relationships and, of course, spot the talent in the first place makes her quite unique. A trailblazer for women in the industry from the outset, she is hugely respected by promoters, colleagues, artists and competitors alike.

“A trailblazer for women in the industry from the outset, she is hugely respected by promoters, colleagues, artists and competitors alike”

“Coupled with a drive and enthusiasm rarely seen after nearly 30 years in the business, Emma is the deserving recipient of the 2018 Music Industry Trusts Award.”

The award will be presented on 5 November at a ceremony held in aid of the Brit Trust and Nordoff Robbins. Banks, the 27th winner, follows last year’s honouree Rob Stringer (Sony Music) and joins the ranks of previous recipients including Kylie Minogue, Sir Lucian Grainge, Ahmet Ertegun, Simon Cowell, Michael Eavis and Annie Lennox.

“I am overwhelmed at being honoured at the MITs this year,” says Banks. ” am rarely lost for words but when David Munns rang me to ask if I would accept the award I was honestly dumbfounded. The MITs’ roll of honour is packed with people that I admire and respect – I never expected to be added to that list, but will do my very best to be worthy of it.

“I am looking forward to a great night and to raising lots of money for the two fantastic charities that the event supports, Nordoff Robbins and the Brit Trust. See you there!”

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