BMG has appointed record-executive-turned-tech-entrepreneur Albert Slendebroek to run its Benelux repertoire operation, BMG Talpa Music, effective immediately.

After a successful career in major record companies, Slendebroek was CEO of digital music distribution software company FUGA, before becoming general manager of legendary Amsterdam dance independent Armada Music.

At BMG Talpa Music he will work alongside non-executive chairman Tony Berk to further develop its successful roster of writers and producers, who were responsible for a string of local and international successes in the last years, and he will develop its domestic recordings business as well as driving Benelux representation of BMG's international publishing and recording roster.

Tony Berk said, "In the four years since BMG acquired Talpa Music, we have made significant progress. I am personally delighted to welcome Albert to help us in the next phase of our expansion."

Albert Slendebroek said, "The launch of the new BMG and its dramatic growth is one of the biggest success stories in music. I have known and respected Tony Berk for many years. It is a pleasure now to be working with Tony and BMG's talented Benelux team."

Albert Slendebroek started his music career in the Netherlands at Ariola Music, part of the old BMG, before moving to Chrysalis Music and marketing roles at Phonogram (now part of Universal). In 1988 he became Managing Director of Chrysalis Records Germany, where he spent three years working with artists including Billy Idol, Sinead O'Connor and The Waterboys.

He then spent five years at PolyGram (now Universal) in Hamburg where as Managing Director of the Metronome label, the company signed Ace of Base for the world outside the US, delivering sales of around 20m albums and also signed legendary German punk rock band Die Ärzte.

In 1996 he switched to Warner Music where he spent eight years as Managing Director of their Benelux operation before becoming CEO of tech start-up FUGA which developed software for the digital distribution of music which is still used widely across the independent music sector.

In 2011 he switched to dance independent Armada Music – home to Armin van Buuren and Lost Frequencies – where he restructured the company and developed a strong brand and lifestyle strategy. Since 2015 he has consulted for start-ups, lifestyle companies, music and tech companies in Europe and south-east Asia.

BMG EVP Continental Europe Repertoire Fred Casimir said, "Albert Slendebroek is one of the most talented music executives to emerge from the Netherlands, offering a very attractive combination of high-level international experience, a deep understanding of digital technologies and a unique network in the dance music genre in which BMG Talpa is already a significant player. There is a significant opportunity to further develop BMG's presence in Benelux and we are delighted Albert has responded to the challenge."