The MPG (Music Producers Guild) have announced the launch of the MPG Impact Award, a brand-new honour that will recognise music projects that deliver meaningful social and cultural impact through the craft and collaboration of music production.
The inaugural recipient of the MPG Impact Award is War Child UK’s HELP(2) album project, a major charity release that brought together artists, producers and studios in support of the 520 million children around the world affected by conflict. Upon release, it landed at Number 1 in the UK Compilations Chart, mirroring the success of the original 1995 album it serves as a sequel to.
At the end of 2025, many of the world’s leading musicians came together to create a new record in support of War Child’s work delivering specialist mental health support, protection, education, immediate aid and standing up for the rights of children impacted by war globally.
Under the stewardship of Executive Producer James Ford, and with Toby L (Transgressive) acting as A&R Director and co-producer, HELP(2) features an extraordinary line-up of artists including Adrian Utley, Anna Calvi, Arctic Monkeys, Arlo Parks, Arooj Aftab, Bat For Lashes, Beabadoobee, Beck, Beth Gibbons, Big Thief, Black Country, New Road, Cameron Winter, Carl Barat, Damon Albarn, Dave Okumu, Declan McKenna, Depeche Mode, Dove Ellis, Ed Harcourt, Ellie Rowsell, English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Foals, Fontaines D.C., Graham Coxon, Greentea Peng, Grian Chatten, Johnny Marr, Kae Tempest, King Krule, Marika Hackman, Nadia Kadek, Nilüfer Yanya, Oasis, Olivia Rodrigo, Pulp, Rosa Walton, Sampha, The Last Dinner Party, Wet Leg and Young Fathers.
The A&R Team also includes Luke Williams from This is Music Ltd — the company that represents Ford — along with the project’s management team, Ian McAndrew and Emma Greengrass of Wildlife Entertainment. Visuals and creative direction were provided by Jonathan Glazer, whilst the album was distributed by Beggars.
The project also brought together an eclectic team of producers, engineers and mixers including Adam Noble, Adrian Hierholzer, Animesh Raval, Annie Gasiorowski, Baird, Billy Halliday, Callum Marinho, Catherine Marks, Chris Bolster, Dan Cox, Daniela Sicilia, David Greenbaum, David Kosten, David Wrench, Dom Monks, Ed Farrell, Erik Brauer, Freddie Light, Gordon Davidson, Jake Stainer, James Krivchenia, John Barrett, Jon McMullen, Lake Turner, Loren Humphrey, Marta Salogni, Neil Comber, Oli Barton-Wood, Paul Pritchard, Riley MacIntyre, Sam Egglenton, Seth Taylor, Sherry Yeh, Tom Ashpitel, with mastering carried out by Matt Colton.
Alongside the announcement of the new award, the MPG have also revealed that War Child will be the official charity partner for the 2026 MPG Awards, further strengthening the relationship between the organisation and the music production community.
Rich Clarke, Head of Music at War Child UK“It's an honour to be partnering with the MPG Awards this year and we couldn't be more proud to be taking home the inaugural Impact award for HELP(2). This record is more than an album; it’s a celebration of the collective spirit of the music industry. I feel very privileged to have witnessed this brilliant community of producers coming together as one with James Ford to deliver such a momentous album. The producers, mixers and recording engineers who rallied to the call to make this happen are remarkable. They have created something extraordinary that will continue to make tangible change for children whose lives have been torn apart by war are extraordinary, and we're so happy that their work, talent and commitment to making a positive difference in the world is being recognised with this award.” - Rich Clarke, Head of Music, War Child UK
The Impact Award is the final gifted award to be announced ahead of this year’s MPG Awards ceremony, with the remaining category winners revealed live at the event on Thursday 16 April 2026 at The Troxy in London, UK.
