Peter Gabriel (from 2011-2014)

Peter co-founded the group Genesis in 1966 and the band went on to make 7 albums. He left Genesis in 1975 and has since made 11 solo albums. His film soundtrack works include Birdy (1984), The Last Temptation of Christ (1989) and Rabbit Proof Fence (2002).

In 1980 Peter conceived of, and founded WOMAD (World of Music Arts and Dance), which has presented over 150 festivals in over 40 countries.

Peter’s Human Rights works include, the coordination of and participation in the Human Rights Now! Tour, in 1988 with Amnesty International.  In 1989 he conceived of, and co-founded Witness.org, giving cameras and computers to human rights activists.  Witness has won many awards and in 2008 launched the Hub, providing a platform for human rights video from all over the world.

In 2000 Peter co-founded and conceived of the Elders.org with Richard Branson, which Nelson Mandela launched in 2007.

Peter’s business interests have been in the field of music, media and technology.  In 1987 he founded the Real World Group of companies.  In 1999, he co-founded OD2, which became the leading European platform provider for the distribution of on-line music.  In 2005 Peter and others purchased Solid State Logic, the world’s leading manufacturer of mixing consoles for music recording, broadcast and post-production, and in 2011 became majority shareholder. He also co-founded thefilter.com and We7.com, and is currently developing several projects, including a visual language for the internet, and the first social network for the dead.

Amongst awards Peter has received, are the Man of Peace Award, presented by the Nobel Peace Laureates, the “Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” and also the Quadriga Award.  Lifetime achievement awards include BT’s Digital Music Pioneer Award, and he has received Grammy awards for his music and video work.