EMI Poaches Universal Man To Head A&R Department

EMI Records today announced that Nick Gatfield will be joining the company to head its A&R department in the UK and America.

The record label, which is owned by private equity company Terra Firma, have poached Gatfield from arch-rival the Universal Music Group.

Gatfield has run Island Records, a subdivision of Universal, since 2001 and was responsible for signing Amy Winehouse and The Fratellis.

EMI’s boss, Guy Hands, said that Gatfield’s experience would help EMI to "reposition itself in new music".

In response to EMI’s announcement, Universal confirmed that Darcus Beese and Ted Cockle would replace Gatfield as co-presidents of Island Records.

Gatfield’s appointment means that he has now gone a full circle, having started his career with EMI in the 1980s.

Since Terra Firma purchased EMI in August last year the record label has undergone comprehensive restructuring in order to cut down on costs.

Up to one-third of EMI’s staff are expected to lose their jobs as part of the ongoing plans.