Songwriter and Snow Patrol musician Johnny McDaid is to receive the BMI President's Award at the 2026 BMI London Awards, held at The Dorchester on 28 September. The private ceremony recognises the British and European songwriters and publishers behind the past year's most-performed songs across US streaming, radio, film, television and visual media, and BMI executives praised McDaid's melodic storytelling and decades-long impact on popular music.

Originally from Derry, McDaid busked in London as a teenager before becoming one of the industry's most sought-after collaborators, writing for artists including Ed Sheeran, BTS, P!nk and Alicia Keys. His Sheeran co-write Shape of You has passed five billion Spotify streams, while other hits such as Photograph and Bad Habits have also reached billions of streams; he holds 17 BMI Awards, two Ivor Novello wins and two GRAMMY nominations. He recently co-wrote tracks for the Backstreet Boys and KATSEYE, and joins past President's Award winners including Taylor Swift, Noel Gallagher and Brian Wilson.