Sony Music UK has appointed Negla Abdela as the new managing director of Ministry of Sound.
Negla joined Ministry of Sound in 2015 as social media manager before being promoted to head of digital in 2018, and then to general manager in 2021. In that role she has been responsible for managing the marketing and digital teams, working across the label’s roster to deliver multi-platinum selling single and album campaigns.
Abdela has played a central role in the label’s success since joining in 2015 and has helped to drive exponential growth, increasing market share across every measure year-on-year. The label has achieved numerous multi-platinum hits from artists including Paul Woolford, Ewan McVicar, Riton and Majestic as well as spearheading global campaigns for domestic talent such as Regard, London Grammar and Sigala. The team has simultaneously achieved success with international artists including Doja Cat, Tate McRae and Lil Durk.
Abdela also sits on Sony Music UK’s Social Justice Fund steering committee and is the co-executive sponsor for Sony Music’s internal Diversity committee HUE (Helping Unite Everyone). Earlier this year she featured on Empower’s 2023 Role Model List, which showcases individuals who are advocating for people of colour within the workplace.
Dipesh Parmar, president, Columbia Records, said: “I’m delighted for Negla to take on her new role at Ministry of Sound. She is a natural leader and her commitment over the last eight years has helped shape the label’s vision for artist signings and overall development. Negla’s passion for both the roster and team make her one of the most respected and dynamic executives in the business and I’m excited for her to take the label into its next phase of growth in the electronic music scene.”
Abdela commented: “I’m proud of how much the team has collectively achieved during my time at Ministry of Sound and I’m excited to continue growing with the label as I step into this role. I’ve had the most incredible mentorship from Amy [Wheatley] and Dipesh who have always put their trust in me to deliver and I look forward to leading the label into the next chapter with their support and Jason’s. I’m truly passionate about seeing more Black women in senior leadership positions and this is a reminder of what is possible, no matter what your background is.”