Jason Iley

Jason Iley MBE was appointed Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK and Ireland in 2014. Since then he has transformed Sony Music's roster by appointing several of the industry's leading executives to run Sony labels and divisions, pioneering joint ventures with some of the most exciting companies in music and audio, and championing a collaborative, inclusive and can-do culture. Jason's 25 year career in music started at Sony in 1994 and has included 15 years at Universal Music and a period in New York running JAY Z's Roc Nation label. He has worked with many of the most famous artists in music, including U2, Sir Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Elton John, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Calvin Harris, Rihanna, Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse. As Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK & Ireland, Jason has pursued a strategy of diversification and renewal, ensuring Sony is well represented in all genres and future-proofed for success. Under Jason's leadership Sony's label acquisitions and joint ventures include Ministry of Sound, Black Butter, Relentless, Since '93 and Insanity Records, to complement Sony's extensive catalog and established frontline labels Columbia and RCA. Finding, breaking and developing artists is the heart of Sony Music's mission, whether they are homegrown British acts or international artists active in the UK and Ireland. To fully facilitate their vision and support them in all aspects of their artistic endeavour, Jason centralised Sony's creative divisions into 4th Floor Creative, a department that combines digital, branding, insight, sync and video teams and works with our labels to give each artist and act a 360° service. As the audio-visual-media landscape develops Sony has also diversified into podcasting, merchandise, family entertainment and events. It remains a champion of grass roots music venues and runs several training and diversity programmes focused on recruiting and supporting new talent in the industry. Jason was Chairman of the BRITs Committee that oversees the BRIT Awards, the biggest celebration of British music, from 2017 to 2019. At Sony Music every senior executive has been trained in managing mental health issues through partnerships with Mind and Young Minds. In 2018 it became the first company in the UK to offer additional leave for parents of premature babies, removed single-use plastic from its office and in 2020 Jason was the first signatory from the entertainment industry to the Valuable 500 campaign for disability inclusion. Jason was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in October 2020, for his contribution to music and charity.