Roberto Neri and Marcus Davey appointed to House of Lords

The appointments were included among 26 political peerages announced by Downing Street on 16 July, shortly before Sir Keir Starmer’s departure as Prime Minister. Neri was recognised as Chief Executive of The Ivors Academy and a director of UK Music, while Davey was listed in recognition of his work as the former Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the Roundhouse.

Neri has spent more than 27 years working across music and the creative industries, with a particular focus on protecting creators’ rights and securing fair remuneration for songwriters and composers.

Since becoming Chief Executive of The Ivors Academy, he has overseen a major expansion of the organisation, which reports that its membership grew from 2,000 to 15,000 in a year. The Academy has also increased its campaigning activity around issues including generative AI, copyright and creator remuneration, while expanding its professional development programmes and international reach.

Neri said, ‘It is an enormous honour to be appointed to the House of Lords. Everything I have worked towards throughout my career has been driven by a belief that music creators deserve to be valued, fairly rewarded and given every opportunity to succeed.

‘It is a privilege to lead The Ivors Academy and to work alongside extraordinary songwriters, composers and colleagues every day. I look forward to continuing to champion music creators and the wider creative industries, ensuring they remain at the heart of our cultural life and future prosperity.’

Tom Gray, Chair of The Ivors Academy, said Neri had spent his career arguing that songwriters and composers deserved ‘actual, spendable money, not just polite applause’.

Gray added, ‘This appointment isn’t a gift. It’s just everyone else catching up with what the rest of us already knew. I couldn’t be more pleased for him and for our community on gaining such a committed champion entering the House of Lords.’

UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said Neri would provide the sector with ‘a powerful and influential voice’ in Parliament, adding that his commercial experience and understanding of the creative process would be significant assets.

Davey’s appointment follows his departure from the Roundhouse on 1 June 2026, after 27 years leading the London performing arts venue and youth charity.

He joined the Roundhouse in 1999 and worked with its late founder and former Chair, Sir Torquil Norman, to raise £30 million to restore the Grade II\*-listed former railway engine shed. The building reopened in 2006 as a major performing arts venue and creative centre for young people.

Under Davey’s leadership, the Roundhouse developed into one of the UK’s leading centres for non-formal creative learning and now works with more than 10,000 young people aged between 11 and 30 each year.

He also led major capital projects, including the redevelopment of the main venue and the creation of Roundhouse Works, a dedicated space for young creative freelancers and entrepreneurs, which was opened by Starmer in 2023.

Jenny Mollica, who succeeded Davey as Chief Executive of the Roundhouse, said, ‘Marcus’s passion, generosity and unwavering belief in young people’s potential have changed countless lives.

‘I know he will bring that same vision, compassion and determination to the House of Lords, where he’ll continue to be a powerful champion for creativity and for ensuring every young person has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.’

Roundhouse Chair Simon Turner said the organisation looked forward to seeing Davey bring his ‘energy, vision and passion for the arts’ to Parliament.

Davey was awarded an OBE in 2012 and a CBE in 2019. His appointment to the Lords will provide the creative and cultural education sectors with an experienced advocate for youth opportunity, creative careers and access to the arts.