Martin Sutton

Martin Sutton is the founder of The Songwriting Academy and multi-platinum songwriter and producer. Starting as a young busker on the streets of Norwich, he spent years developing the craft of songwriting, traveling the world to work with other writers, learning about the music business and honing his production skills. He is now a successful songwriter/producer and has sold millions of records in nearly 50 countries around the world. Martin is also a x2 No.1 iTunes artist as part of The Wanted Sisters. His work includes Backstreet Boys, LeAnn Rimes, Celine Dion, Gary Barlow, Sir Cliff Richard, Pixie Lott, Mark Owen, Olivia Newton-John, Andrew Roachford, Brian McFadden, Lulu, Mike & The Mechanics, England World Cup Song 2022, K-Pop superstars Super Junior and X-Factor/Idol winners worldwide. His teaching methodology and ethos have been described as “life-changing” by many of his students and over the years he has shared his knowledge and experience with thousands, opening their eyes to the world of professional music making. His diverse programming and production skills are widely sought after, from orchestration for Celine Dion and Andrew Lloyd Webber to quirky programming and beat-making for K-Pop/J-Pop artists, and rich country productions for artists including LeAnn Rimes.

Jez Ashurst

Jez Ashurst is a multi-platinum songwriter/producer based in London, who has also worked in the USA, Scandinavia, Germany and Japan. His early career spanned work as an engineer to session guitar work and composing for TV.  The last couple of years have seen Jez write cuts for (and with) Will Young, Mel C, Boyzone, Joe McElderry and many other established and new UK acts. His track record includes the iTunes No.1 “One More Sleep” (Leona Lewis),“Love Will Save The Day” (Boyzone), “Loving You” (Matt Cardle & Mel C) and “Panic” (Gabrielle Aplin). Jez has added his guitar and programming skills to hit records from Susan Boyle and Il Divo, as well as a Number One for Little Mix, and he was one of the team behind the music for the 2011 and 2013 X Factor. He particularly likes developing new talent and has a wealth of experience as a songwriting and production coach. In 2016 Jez hit the UK Top 10 with Jason Derulo and Little Mix performing his song "Secret Love Song".

Paul Statham

Paul Statham is a multi platinum selling songwriter and producer who has been published by Warner Chappell Music for over 25years. Paul co-wrote with Dido the breakthrough single “Here With Me” and the title track of her first album No Angel, selling over 25 million records. Paul also wrote two tracks on Kylie’s massive album “Fever” Kylie as well as songs for The Saturdays, Matt Cardle, Gabriella Cilmie, Peter Andre, Rachel Stevens, Right Said Fred, Tina Arena and many European acts inc the Italian artist Noemi (recent album “Made in London was a no 1 record in Italy ). He has also worked with more left field artists, Simple Minds, 7 albums with former Bauhaus vocalist Peter Murphy, 2 albums with Mercury prize nominated Helicopter Girl. Paul spends a lot of time developing new artists/writers for Warner Chappell including writer Ed Drewett  (1D, The Wanted). Paul also lectures at Solent on popular song writing, BIMM London  & Leeds College of Music where he is a visiting Professor. https://www.paulstatham.com/about Listen to some of Paul's work here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5VnP8AVEk4b6W9NZpqigps?si=cba5fe08ee5e4b9c

Paddy Byrne

Sie Medway-Smith

Joe Killington

Joe is a multi-million selling singer and songwriter from Hackney, East London who started out as a pirate radio MC before becoming a songwriter for other artists. As one of the most prolific and popular songwriters in the business Joe works with many signed artists and songwriters for the current music scene. He co-wrote Armand Van Helden's My My My, and has written for Avicii, Fat Boy Slim, Idris Elba, Jaguar Skills, Nao, Camo and Krooked, O-Town, Cher Lloyd and Mullalley to name just a few.

With his recent success as the singer of Devil in Me with Purple Disco Machine, which charted no 3 in French official charts, Joe has earned a solo artist deal with NHMM, LLC world-wide. Expect many more releases in the near future!

Joe is published by Notting Hill Music, managed as an artist by NHMM, LLC, and managed as a songwriter by Sound Collective.

Rob Davis

In 2000 Rob wrote the record phenomenon of the year, Spiller's “If This Ain't Love”. He then trumped it with the boundary crossing pop single of the year, Kylie's “Can't Get You Out Of My Head”, co-written & co-produced with Cathy Dennis which went to No.1 in over 25 countries and earned them 3 Ivor Novello awards: Most Performed, Best International, and Best Dance Song. An accomplished producer, guitarist and keyboard player, Rob has worked with some of the best of British and American songwriters and artists. He is equally adept at turning an instrumental dance groove into a FM-friendly anthem or creating pop classics from scratch.

Chris Neil

Chris Neil is a multi platinum producer and songwriter. He began his career as the lead in Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair in London’s West End. After a short period as a recording artist he moved into record production and swiftly became one of the most respected producers in the industry. In his career he has produced classic records for artists including Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Mike & The Mechanics, Cher, Jose Carreras, Andrew Lloyd Weber and many more. Chris is also a multi-platinum writer, having written hits such as “All I Need Is A Miracle” for Mike & The Mechanics. His knowledge and attention to detail as a producer are unparalleled and he is renowned for his remarkable talent in vocal production.

John Saunderson

Possibly the most prolific publisher in the UK and certainly the most popular, John Saunderson taps into his extensive network of major and independent labels around the world to provide live songwriting briefs for the ever increasing number of talented writers in our Platinum Mentoring Program.  John also collaborates with The Songwriting Academy in organising songwriting camps both in the UK and abroad. He is also responsible for the world renowned networking events that bring together the biggest gathering of songwriters, producers, artists, managers & agents in the UK throughout the year at Tileyard Studios in London.

Ian Dench

Ian Dench was the guitarist and principal songwriter in the band EMF, who scored a major international hit with the song "Unbelievable" reaching number 1 in the United States. He co-wrote the duet "Beautiful Liar" for Beyonce and Shakira for which he won an Ivor Novello award in the Best Selling British Song Category in 2008. Beyonce’s album “I Am... Sasha Fierce” saw a further three Dench songs: "Disappear", "Ave Maria", and “Satellites". Other hits include “Tattoo” for American Idol winner Jordan Sparks, "Red" a top 5 UK hit for Daniel Merriweather and "Gypsy" from Shakira's “She Wolf” album. Ian also spent 2 years as Vice President of A&R at Epic Records in New York so has a unique experience of songwriting from both sides of the table. He is a hugely popular mentor at the Songwriting Retreats, always offering advice, support and encouragement in equal measures.