European trade org IMPALA has honored veteran music executive Keith Harris with the Outstanding Contribution Award, recognizing his career and work advocating for equity and change.

Harris, who was appointed an OBE in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honors, started his career at then-independent label Transatlantic Records more than 40 years ago. Since then, he’s represented artists such as Stevie Wonder, Lynden David Hall and Omar, as well as working as promotion manager for EMI, Motown and Transatlantic.

In addition, Harris has held strategic roles at PPL, UK Music and as Chairman of the Music Managers Forum. In 2020, he wrote an open letter to music industry leaders as his contribution to Blackout Tuesday, detailing his experience of racism in the business and urging the industry to make equality a priority for generations to come.

Harris has since joined IMPALA’s task force on diversity and inclusion, which led to the publication of its Diversity and Inclusion Charter alongside guidance for members, a training program and surveys to measure best practice and diversity.

“This award honours Keith’s career, both as an incredibly successful music executive and as an advocate for equity,” IMPALA Executive Chair Helen Smith said. “His work as advisor to IMPALA’s inclusion and diversity task force has proved invaluable. Keith's advice will help the European independent music sector move toward a more balanced future.”