Tributes paid to BRIT Trust fundraiser

pic: Nordoff Robbins

Tributes have been paid to a music industry executive who helped raise millions of pounds for good causes, including the BRIT Trust and Nordoff Robbins.

Concert promoter and long time fundraiser for Nordoff Robbins, Andrew Miller, from Shrewsbury, passed away on Thursday aged 65.

A national charity, Nordoff Robbins helps vulnerable children and adults using music therapy. It works closely with the BRIT Trust, an organisation that promotes music education for young people, relying on funding from the music industry.

One of Miller’s many fundraising events was the Knebworth 90 concert, in which he managed to get acts including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Phil Collins, Cliff Richard and Eric Clapton to perform at Knebworth House in June 1990. It was a sell-out event that was watched by 120,000 people and raised millions of pounds, some which went to the BRIT Trust in order to help fund the BRIT School of Performing Arts.

Nick Williams, who has been the principal of the Croydon BRIT School since 2002, said: “The BRIT Trust needed to raise 20% of the cost of the capital works for the BRIT School building and without this event that would have been very difficult. Andrew’s contribution to the success of the School is therefore considerable and we are very grateful.”

The Croydon BRIT School has since gone on to produce stars including Adele and Jessie J, who were both nominated for Best British Female Artist award at the BRIT Awards this week, with Adele taking the prize. The school has also produced talents such as Amy Winehouse, Katie Melua, Leona Lewis and Kate Nash.

Pauline Etkin, CEO of Nordoff Robbins said: “Andrew Miller is remembered with deep gratitude for his tireless work for the Nordoff Robbins and for the thousands of vulnerable children and adults whose lives have been transformed by music therapy thanks to his support.

“He was vibrant, focussed and had a delightful sense of humour and fun. It was an inspiration to watch him work as he explored funding possibilities for the charity.”

Miller, who worked as a promoter for artists including Meatloaf, Barry Manilow and Chris de Burgh, leaves his wife Anna, and two daughters Faye and Emily.

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