Following Universal Music’s restructuring of its U.S. labels earlier this year, the company’s U.K. division is reorganizing as well, notably with the merging of two iconic frontline labels, Island Records U.K. and EMI.
The move, which takes effect Oct. 1, was announced to the company’s staff in an internal memo from UMG U.K. chairman-CEO David Joseph obtained by Variety; the news was first reported by Music Business Worldwide. The restructuring will be accompanied by an unspecified number of layoffs.
Similar to UMG U.S.’ merging of several labels into the Republic Corps and Interscope-Capitol Label Groups, the company’s U.K. division will have two “powerhouse frontline label groups”:
Related Stories
The newly-named Island EMI Label Group, with current Island U.K. president Louis Bloom as president; and
Popular on Variety
Polydor Label Group, with Ben Mortimer as president, which will include Capitol U.K. with president Jo Charrington; and 0207 Def Jam, with Alec Boateng as president.
The detailed memo also stated that:
Laura Monks and Tom Lewis will continue to lead Decca as a stand-alone label, focusing on classical, jazz, instrumental, folk, soul, and electronic music;
Hannah Neaves becomes sole president of UMR (UMG U.K.’s catalog division);
Nickie Owen will continue to lead the company’s international strategy;
Rebecca Allen, Charrington’s former co-MD, will now lead the new Audience & Media Division (AMD), which will support all of the company’s labels, which Joseph described as “an industry first, where every type of media is seamlessly integrated. We are assembling an elite team making this our largest division.” It will include the company’s media operation, run by Suzy Walby; Audience and Digital Strategy, led by Kate Wyn Jones; and the Square insight team, focusing on data, insight, strategy and creativity, led by Jack Fryer.
Joseph acknowledged that layoffs will accompany the restructuring.
“While the vast majority of our team will continue to be a part of our business going forward, some roles are impacted by the proposed structural changes. It saddens me that we will have to part ways with some incredible colleagues who have been instrumental in our journey.
“As a company, we must continue to be forward-looking, innovative, and bold,” he added. “Developing artists now requires more creativity and patience than ever before.”