Sir Elton John makes history as first-ever Ivors President

Sir Elton John, Thom Yorke and Calvin Harris were among the biggest names honoured at the 2026 Ivor Novello Awards in London on Thursday night, as the ceremony celebrated songwriting royalty from across the globe.

the 79-year-old singer was handed the Ivors Academy Honour for his lifelong championing of songwriters and composers.

Moreover, it was also confirmed he will become the organisation’s first-ever President, a role created to represent its global creative community.

The emotional night also saw the late George Michael posthumously honoured with the Fellowship of the Ivors Academy, with his Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley collecting the award on his behalf, a decade after the singer’s death.

The 42-year-old Scottish DJ, Harris, picked up the PRS for Music Icon Award for shaping modern dance and pop over two decades.

While Linda Perry received the Special International Award for penning hits for Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani.

Other winners included Sam Fender, named Songwriter of the Year, Lily Allen, who collected the Outstanding Song Collection prize, Rosalía taking International Songwriter of the Year, and CMAT winning Best Album for Euro-Country.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Yorke received the Fellowship of the Ivors Academy, recognising a career that has helped define alternative music, and later performed live to end the show.

Roberto Neri and Tom Gray praised the winners, saying the awards proved the future of songwriting is in “remarkable hands” and highlighting the importance of recognising creators behind hit songs.

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