When the BRIT Awards 2026 arrive in Manchester this weekend, it signals more than just a venue change. For the first time in decades, British music’s biggest night is leaving London for a city with an immense musical legacy of its own.
The excitement across Manchester is palpable. Promotional banners line the streets, the Co-Op Live is preparing for perhaps its most dazzling night yet, and Deansgate rail station has temporarily been renamed ‘Olivia Deansgate’.
Students at the University of Manchester are central to it all, with the unveiling of this year’s trophy having taken place on our very own campus.
Against this backdrop, The Mancunion had the opportunity to speak with Ben Mortimer, President of Polydor Label Group and a University of Manchester alumnus.
“The start of my whole journey was at The Mancunion”
For Mortimer, the relocation of this year’s BRIT Awards feels distinctly full circle. Sharing that he “feels affectionately towards” Manchester, it was special to hear about his “strong connections to the city”, in ways that are personal as well as professional.
Our conversation began with Mortimer recognising The Mancunion office in the Students’ Union, overlooking the bustle on Oxford Road. This familiarity set the tone for a wider reflection on his time in Manchester, prompting me to ask how he built his career to where he is today, leading Polydor Label Group, one of the UK’s most successful record label groups within Universal Music Group UK.
Remarkably, Mortimer was quick to point out: “The start of my whole journey was at The Mancunion”. Hearing this felt surreal, coming from someone who had once sat in the very office where student journalists continue to write today.
Mortimer described how he had always “been very immersed in music”, having grown up in Central London during the 90s, and knew he wanted “to be around music in some shape or form” by the time he arrived in Manchester to begin his Philosophy degree.
This took the form of handing out flyers promoting Electric Chair outside of the Students’ Union and doing club reviews for The Mancunion. Quite a jump from where he is today, yet an experience many students will still recognise.
Calling this his “route into everything”, Mortimer went on to pursue paid journalism roles, including at City Life. I was keen to ask whether the creative instinct shaped through those early roots in music journalism still influences his work today.
He was clear that it “underpinned everything”, as it encouraged proactive involvement that soon opened further doors. Through his work with the “fantastic” magazine Jockey Slut, Mortimer became involved in a club called Bugged Out! for example, and eventually went to take on a role at The Face straight out of university.
Advice to students and young creatives
Reflecting on those early experiences, it felt natural to ask Mortimer what advice he’d give to students hoping to break into the music industry today.
Whilst acknowledging that “creative industries are harder than ever for people to get into”, and noting his own luck in being among the last cohorts to experience university before tuition fees, he encouraged students to pursue what genuinely interests them.
Whether through joining societies, seeking out work experience, or even handing out flyers, he stressed the importance of grabbing opportunities to get involved.
While keen not to diminish the value of academia, Mortimer shared that in his own experience, being involved in student journalism and music coverage played a far greater role in opening doors to the creative industries than his Philosophy degree alone.
Of course, he acknowledged the “unfair” advantages that exist within the industry, something artists like Sam Fender have been vocal about in their music. Yet if there was one key takeaway he offered, it was this: “If you’re really serious about getting into a creative industry and you’re lucky enough to be at university, use the time at university wisely.”
Polydor’s presence at the 2026 BRIT Awards
As our conversation turned to the upcoming BRIT Awards, I was curious to hear Mortimer’s thoughts, with Polydor celebrating an impressive 21 nominations across 13 artists this year.
Having been sole President of Polydor since 2021, after being appointed Co-President in 2016, Mortimer knows that sustained creative and commercial success brings with it high-stakes moments like awards season. With the responsibility of supporting both artists and the team, he describes the experience as “a mixture of excitement and pressure”.
Even so, Mortimer said he feels “quietly confident going into it this year… between Sam Fender and Olivia Dean”, two artists closely associated with Polydor. In particular, their collaboration Rein Me In has made a significant impact as it hit Number 1 in UK music charts, prompting Mortimer to reflect fondly on the label’s involvement in “two of the most incredible campaigns over the last 18 months”.
Trying to resist looking too awestruck at the mention of Sam Fender and Olivia Dean, two artists I truly admire, I asked Mortimer how it feels, as President, to watch that kind of momentum build. He described it as “the biggest rush in the world”, adding that being involved when an artist is breaking “makes all of the tough bits of the job worth it”.
His passion was a reminder of the emotional investment that comes with pursuing a job you love. Mortimer was clear that it takes sacrifice, becoming more of a “lifestyle” than a career you can simply switch off from.
Breathing new life into the BRITs
Beyond the excitement surrounding Polydor’s nominated artists, Mortimer views the BRITs’ move to Manchester as a welcome shift: “I’m really, really up for it, I think it’s going to breathe new life into it.”
Calling the change “overdue”, he pointed to Manchester’s “insane” musical legacy, making it a fitting host for British music’s biggest night.
Ultimately, from “walking out of Whitworth Park with flyers in my bag” to working in journalism, progressing through A&R and now leading the Polydor Label Group within Universal Music Group, Mortimer’s path reflects the value of taking opportunities as they arise.
For students watching the BRITs arrive in Manchester, his story serves as a reminder that creative careers often begin with small steps and the willingness to get involved.
