Music industry veteran Dickon Stainer has been appointed as the new chair and CEO of Universal Music UK, replacing David Joseph who is stepping down after 17 years with the major.
In his new role, Stainer will be responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of Universal Music UK. The following divisions, including Island EMI Label Group, Polydor Label Group, Decca Records, the recently formed Audience and Media Division, as well as Abbey Road Studios, will report to him. For the last 10 years, Stainer served as President & CEO of Universal Music Group’s (UMG) Global Classics and Jazz division splitting his time between London and New York.
Stainer will also continue in the capacity of chairman of Global Classics & Jazz. Announcements regarding new leadership roles and internal promotions in these businesses will be made shortly.
“Dickon has embraced an expansive musical worldview throughout his career, taking artists from a wide variety of genres and bringing them to audiences globally,” said Universal Music Group chair and CEO Lucian Grainge. “He not only has deep experience in leveraging our worldwide organization on behalf of our artists, but a track record that includes global commercial and creative artist successes and countless awards in many countries.”
“I would also like to thank David Joseph for his many contributions. He leaves with our gratitude.”
Stainer said: “It is an honour to be asked by Sir Lucian Grainge to lead Universal Music UK. The depth of talent that we have at the company, coupled with our remarkable roster of artists, gives me tremendous confidence in what we can achieve together. Having worked in both the international and domestic divisions of UMG, I know how central the UK is to the global music industry – a vital repertoire source that provides the world with great artists and great music. I can’t wait to get started.”
Stainer has enjoyed significant success on the world stage, consistently championing a generation of international talent, evidenced most recently by the GRAMMY® wins for Jon Batiste for Album of the Year in 2022, and Samara Joy for Best New Artist in 2023.
The news marks the second major music industry departure in just a matter of week. Last month it was revealed that Warner Music Group's CEO of recorded music, max Lousada, was departing the company as part of an extensive internal restructure.
Photo by Carsten Windhorst