The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) and Music Managers Forum (MMF) have revealed more names for the 2026 Artist & Manager Awards.
The Cure’s Robert Smith, Jordan Rakei and Quietus Management are all being recognised.
They will join previously announced recipients Portishead, Jamie Cullum & Rockstar Management and Raw Power Management.
In addition, the shortlist for the Manager Of The Year category has been unveiled:
Connor Hunnisett, Jigsaw Music Group – Ren
Emily Braham, Yo & Co Management – Olivia Dean
Owain Davies, OD Management – Sam Fender, Ben Howard
Phoebe Abu-Gold, Up Close Management – Pinkpantheress
The event, which celebrates the unique relationship between artists and managers, returns to London’s Bloomsbury Big Top on Wednesday, November 18.
Robert Smith is this year’s winner of the Fan Champion Award, which recognises an individual who has used their platform to both protect their audience and drive positive change.
The Cure frontman has been outspoken on the need for fairer and more transparent ticketing practices.
He has also backed the advocacy of the FanFair Alliance campaign, established by the Music Managers Forum in 2016, and joined calls to the UK government to deliver on a manifesto promise to ban ticket touting and introduce a cap on ticket resale prices.
“These interventions on behalf of consumers have not only helped raise awareness and kickstart positive dialogue around ticketing, they have demonstrated to other artists that they too can use their agency and influence to improve industry practices,” said a statement.
Robert’s plainspeaking approach has been a welcome antidote to the controversies that continue to swirl around ticketing and live music
David Martin
Jordan Rakei will receive The Artists’ Voice Award in recognition of his advocacy and openness about the realities of building a career in music.
“By sharing his experiences of navigating label relationships, financial pressures and the demands of sustaining a creative life, Jordan has helped demystify how the industry works, giving fellow artists valuable insight and encouraging more honest conversations across the sector,” said the statement.
Through initiatives such as Rhythm Section’s Future Proof masterclass and online videos opening up his songwriting and production process, he has shared both practical knowledge and the lessons of his own career.
David Martin, CEO, Featured Artists Coalition, said: “Both these awards recognise artists who have generously used their platforms for a greater good.
“Robert’s plainspeaking approach has been a welcome antidote to the controversies that continue to swirl around ticketing and live music – not only successfully standing up for The Cure’s fanbase, but actively changing business practices in the process. His stand against online ticket touting and support of the FanFair Alliance campaign has also been exemplary. We are so pleased to present him with our Fan Champion award.
“In a year where the financial and commercial pressures on artists have multiplied, I am also delighted we can shine a light on Jordan’s candour and honesty. Whether through his social channels or online masterclasses, that drive to provoke discussion and share knowledge has been genuinely empowering, alongside a genuinely collaborative approach to music-making.”
The 2026 Entrepreneur Award (sponsored by Cuffe & Taylor) will be received by Quietus Management after becoming the world’s first employee-owned music management business.
Establishing Quietus Management in 2010 to represent Simply Red, Ian Grenfell followed soon after by adding Simple Minds and Suede. The company has since added The Charlatans, The Pretenders and Bill Wyman.
The core team consists of Grenfell, Gemma Reilly Hammond, Didz Hammond, Clementine de Banzie Lampard, Kim Horton, Airi Zdrenka, Joey Read, and Ginny Taub.
Quietus manages an average of 250 live shows a year across this roster, plus multiple new album releases, catalogue re-releases, documentaries, books and more. Recent successes include Suede’s 2026 Mercury Prize nominated album Antidepressants, which the band have toured around the world, including China.
Simple Minds, who are currently preparing for the release of their 19th studio album, Sacrosanct, and about to embark on a 50th anniversary world tour spanning four continents.
“Proving that such long-term commercial success and world-class artist stewardship can go hand-in-hand with progressive corporate governance and fairness, in 2019, Ian began the process of restructuring the business as an Employee Ownership Trust – effectively passing the ownership of Quietus to a trust on behalf of its employees,” said the statement.
Annabella Coldrick, chief executive, Music Managers Forum, said: “Over recent years, the MMF has been at the centre of discussions about how music management companies can develop and sustain new types of commercial models. In that context, it feels especially important to recognise the forward-thinking approach of Quietus Management, and their restructuring as an Employee Ownership Trust. Alongside a hugely exciting shortlist for Manager Of The Year, it is further proof that the UK’s management community continues to lead, innovate and succeed.”
PHOTOS: Aaron Law (Robert Smith)
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