“I was very surprised to get the call, and I asked them, Who dropped out? But I’m very delighted to receive this award, and I’m very delighted that this part of the industry has been recognised. I don’t think agents get that much appreciation in general, so I’m naturally pleased that our sector  is getting an award. I’d also like to congratulate – because everything that happens in this industry is about the people – all the nominees, and all the winners in all the categories tonight, to human being business. Everybody works hard, for themselves and for their artists, so I think we need to give another great big round of applause to everybody here tonight. At The Agency Group, we’ve now spread our remit across America, into Canada, and we’ve not finished what we’re doing.”

“When you’re looking in the mirror thinking, Boy I’ve got a charmed life, life’s good in the music business and I get paid more than my friends do, spare a thought for what we’re trying to do.”

“On behalf of the company, this is a great honour. It’s a massive team here in the UK and we’re very pleased.”

“We’d like to thank and congratulate our songwriters. This is the fruit of their work and talent. Of course, thanks to all of the Sony/ATV team, this is defi nitely the result of teamwork.”

“I’d just like to thank all the writers and publishing companies that trust us to look after their songs. Thank you.”

“Everything starts with a song, and most of us wouldn’t be here without the songwriters and the songs. So on behalf of Sony/ATV, we would like to thank all of our songwriters.”

“Thanks to Sam Smith for this, without him we wouldn’t be here. Capitol Records – you are actually amazing. You sign a few acts, and actually break them – that’s a credit to you guys.”

“It’s nice to be back here, didn’t think it was going to be our year. It always makes me feel really humbled. Big thanks to everyone at Atlantic Records. My calling card is: we come in peace, we’ll leave you in pieces.”