Rebecca Allen appointed President of EMI Records

16 June 2020 - Press release

EMI REBORN AS FLAGSHIP UK LABEL

Universal Music Group has mapped out a bold new future for one of the most renowned British record labels of all time with Virgin EMI being renamed EMI Records with immediate effect. The music powerhouse will be led by Rebecca Allen who is appointed to President, EMI Records after a stellar 20-year career with UMG.

Allen will oversee the entire team and roster at the market-leading company, with the Virgin Records imprint continuing under the new EMI Records banner.

This week’s announcement marks the rebirth of one of the defining labels in popular music history, eight years since its parent company’s purchase in 2012 by Universal Music Group.

Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Universal Music Group, says, “Growing up in London, EMI was the most iconic brand in British music.  When we acquired the company, we committed to new investment, innovation, creativity and, of course, leadership.  Not only have we delivered on that promise, but we continue to position EMI for the future. 

“The appointment of Becky Allen is a testament to our long-term commitment, and our adamance that the EMI name will mean as much to a new generation of artists and fans as it did for mine.  Becky is such a strong leader – creatively and commercially – and has the values, dedication and acumen to keep EMI as the unquestioned home for some of the UK’s greatest talent.”

Reporting to Universal Music UK chairman & CEO David Joseph, Allen is taking charge at EMI Records after 20 years at Universal Music, the past three as President of Decca, where she has worked closely with, among many others, Gregory Porter, Ludovico Einaudi, Imelda May, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Jamie Cullum, The Lumineers, Melody Gardot, Sheku Kanneh-Mason and of course Andrea Bocelli, whose performance at the Milan Duomo on Easter Sunday has become one of the defining cultural moments of 2020.

Her long list of achievements saw her recognised as Businesswoman of the Year at Music Week’s Women In Music awards in 2017 and named as one of Billboard’s Power Players a year later.

David Joseph says, “Rebecca’s track record at Decca speaks for itself but her string of successes don’t tell the full story: quite simply she is an inspirational leader and no-one has a greater understanding of what it takes to bring artists and music to new audiences. She is an extraordinarily dynamic and creative executive with the vision and ambition to restore EMI Records to its position as a powerhouse of culture and music discovery.”

Rebecca Allen says, “Being asked to reimagine one of the UK’s most important record labels is an incredible opportunity, as is the chance to work with some of the world’s biggest and most innovative artists.  Working with artists, and finding and developing the talent of the future, is what drives me and I can’t wait to get started with building on what the brilliant Virgin EMI team have already achieved.”

After studying at the Trinity College of Music in London, Allen started her career at the BBC before joining Universal Music’s UCJ division in 1999. She became General Manager of Decca Records UK in 2012 and was promoted to President in 2017.