DICKON STAINER APPOINTED CHAIRMAN & CEO OF UNIVERSAL MUSIC UK

APPOINTMENT FOLLOWS MANY YEARS OF SUCCESS AT UMG, MOST RECENTLY AS PRESIDENT & CEO OF GLOBAL CLASSICS & JAZZ AND VERVE LABEL GROUP

Dickon Stainer. Photo by Carsten Windhorst

London, September 24, 2024 – Universal Music Group Chairman & CEO Sir Lucian Grainge announced today that Dickon Stainer has been appointed Chairman & CEO of Universal Music UK.

In his new role, Stainer is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of Universal Music UK. The following divisions, including Island EMI Label Group, Polydor Label Group, Decca Records, the recently formed Audience and Media Division, as well as Abbey Road Studios, will report to him. For the last 10 years, Stainer served as President & CEO of Universal Music Group’s (UMG) Global Classics and Jazz division splitting his time between London and New York.

Upon assuming this new role leading the UK company, he will also continue in the capacity of Chairman of Global Classics & Jazz. Announcements regarding new leadership roles and internal promotions in these businesses will be made shortly.

“Dickon has embraced an expansive musical worldview throughout his career, taking artists from a wide variety of genres and bringing them to audiences globally,” said Grainge. “He not only has deep experience in leveraging our worldwide organization on behalf of our artists, but a track record that includes global commercial and creative artist successes and countless awards in many countries.”

“I would also like to thank David Joseph for his many contributions. He leaves with our gratitude.”

Stainer said, “It is an honour to be asked by Sir Lucian Grainge to lead Universal Music UK. The depth of talent that we have at the company, coupled with our remarkable roster of artists, gives me tremendous confidence in what we can achieve together. Having worked in both the international and domestic divisions of UMG, I know how central the UK is to the global music industry – a vital repertoire source that provides the world with great artists and great music. I can’t wait to get started.”

Stainer has enjoyed great success on the global stage, consistently championing a generation of international talent, evidenced most recently by the GRAMMY® wins for Jon Batiste for Album of the Year in 2022, and Samara Joy for Best New Artist in 2023.

About Universal Music Group
At Universal Music Group, we exist to shape culture through the power of artistry. UMG is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content. Featuring the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. For more information on Universal Music Group visit www.universalmusic.com.