Believe UK and Tileyard Music launch new frontline label Tenace Records

21 January 2026 - Press release

Label to be spearheaded by Co-Presidents Charlie Arme & Michael Harwood. 

Former Universal Marketing Director Chris Dashwood appointed GM.

Globally touring guitar-pop force Pale Waves revealed as debut signing.

Believe UK and Tileyard Music have launched a new boutique, frontline label as part of a joint venture between the two companies.

Spearheaded by Co-Presidents Charlie Arme and Michael Harwood, founders of Tileyard Music, Tenace Records will benefit from the global firepower of Believe and Tileyard Music’s industry-leading A&R team. It will also have unrivaled access to the artists, writers and operators in Tileyard London’s 150+ recording studio and 200,000sq ft creative hub.

The label will predominantly focus on new signings and releases with global digital and physical distribution.

Since Arme and Harwood founded Tileyard Music (comprising Tileyard Management and Tileyard Publishing), the company has generated over 25 billion streams; delivered more than 100 Top 40 certifications internationally; six records simultaneously in the UK Top 40; 4 UK number one’s. Delivered one Diamond, 41 Platinum and 38 Gold records; and worked with Ivor Novello, BRIT, MOBO and ASCAP award winners.

The Tenace Team
Arme and Harwood have appointed Chris Dashwood as General Manager to head Tenace Records.

Dashwood is a former Marketing Director at Universal Music who ran catalogue campaign strategy for a number of big name artists including ABBA (ABBA Gold 30), The Beatles (Red & Blue / Beatles ’64 Documentary), Bob Marley (Marley 75), Elton John (Diamonds) & Spice Girls (Wannabee 25).

He was previously Marketing Manager at RCA Records, delivering Platinum breakthrough albums for Bring Me The Horizon (Sempiternal, That’s The Spirit), a Gold debut album for Nothing But Thieves, and Platinum comeback albums for Sia (1000 Forms Of Fear / This Is Acting), as well as handling the entirety of the Chess Club Records roster including MØ, Swim Deep, Sundara Karma and Billie Marten.

The Tenace Records marketing team will be led by Dashwood, with Isabella Evans appointed as Product Manager.

The A&R team will be headed by Cathy Mathalone, leading the team of Kirsty Twiner, Tashai Jackson, Agapi Melkonian and Abbie Humphries.

Tileyard Music’s Managing Director Neil Hughes and Financial Controller Gary Over will also provide support to the new venture.

Pale Waves
Tenace Records launches with Manchester-born, globally touring guitar-pop force Pale Waves as its debut signing. 

Pale Waves have released four studio albums to date: 2018 debut My Mind Makes Noises (peaking at No.8 in the UK), 2021’s Who Am I? (No.3), 2022’s Unwanted (No.4) and 2024’s Smitten (No.13).

Across 500+ documented shows, the band have built a fiercely international audience, via festival main stages (Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds) and multiple headline runs in North America, Europe, Japan and Australia, including a sold out 14 date UK tour in October 2025.

They have been announced as support for Louis Tomlinson on his 26 date European arena tour in March 2026.

Director of Artist Services at Believe UK Paul Trueman said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Charlie, Michael and the Tileyard Music team on this new joint venture. The Tileyard Music team has an outstanding track record of nurturing creative talent and this partnership brings together their deep industry experience with Believe’s global infrastructure and best-in-class tech and tools. Tenace Records represents a powerful and forward-thinking addition to the UK label landscape and we’re thrilled to welcome them to the Believe family.”

Charlie Arme said: “We are thrilled to partner with Believe on Tenace Records. This partnership combines our tenacity with Believe's global infrastructure and builds on an already successful relationship between Tileyard Music Publishing and Believe Music Publishing. From every meeting and conversation with Alex Kennedy, Paul Trueman, and Karishma Anand, our visions align perfectly. Building on our experience as managers, we understand that today's success requires both curated A&R and world-class marketing execution, all whilst supporting managers and artists with their vision. We are excited to announce our first signing together: Pale Waves, a band we've long respected. They and their manager Paul Smernicki have incredible drive and ambition and represent everything Tenace stands for."

On the appointment of Chris Dashwood as GM of Tenace, Michael Harwood said: “We're delighted to welcome Chris to the team. He brings a great combination of indie mindset and major label international marketing expertise – essential qualities in today's landscape. His tenacity, creative thinking, and proven track record working with a whole host of well-known artists will be invaluable. We're excited about what we'll achieve together.”

Chris Dashwood said: “What Tileyard and Believe have established with Tenace is a hugely attractive and viable alternative to the current label deals being offered in the market. The existing team comes with a wealth of industry experience, and we’re ready to compete on all levels. I couldn’t be happier to lead the charge and achieve great things in 2026.”

Cathy Mathalone said: “Our A&R label and publishing team works with a relentless hustle and a global mindset. Our strengths lie in finding exceptional records, curating world-class writing camps, and working with talent to fulfil their potential. Being based at Tileyard Studios gives us access to incredible resources and connections globally. It’s an exciting step forward as the team begins working across Tileyard Music Publishing and Tenace Records, maximising collaborative opportunities for both rosters.”

For more about Tenace Records, visit tenacerecords.co.uk and follow tenace_records on Instagram and TikTok.