EMI Boss Puts Jobs 'Under Official Scrutiny'

Every employee in EMI’s UK recorded-music division has been told that their job is “officially under scrutiny” by the label’s new owner Guy Hands.

It’s understood that Hands, who owns the private equity company Terra Firma which purchased EMI last August, addressed each member of staff in a personal letter.

In January, Hands told EMI’s board that he would be cutting 2,200 jobs – nearly one-third of EMI’s entire workforce - in order to cut spending costs at the record label.

According to the Times, staff in marketing, sales and distribution will face the biggest job cuts.

EMI’s A&R team, however, which is responsible for finding new talent, will escape the bulk of the cuts.

Hands’ plans for the company have proved controversial with EMI’s artists, a number of whom, including Robbie Williams and The Verve, have threatened to go on strike over the plans.