Singer, songwriter, and eminent guitarist Johnny Marr was this year’s recipient of The Lifetime Achievement Award. Marr rose to prominence as the guitarist and co-songwriter of The Smiths, the iconic Manchester band whose distinctive sound helped define British indie music in the 1980s.

Across a career spanning four decades, Marr has performed with acclaimed bands including Electronic, The Pretenders, Modest Mouse and The Cribs, while collaborating with artists ranging from Bryan Ferry and Pet Shop Boys to Noel Gallagher and Billie Eilish. Renowned for his distinctive guitar sound and enduring influence on modern music, Marr remains one of Britain's most celebrated musical innovators.