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Nick Gatfield

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Nick Gatfield is a British music industry executive, entrepreneur and investor.[1] He is the founder of Twin Music Inc, providing angel investment for music and entrepreneurial talent and is co-founder and/or investor in a number of businesses including interactive video platform, Synchronized.[2] Gatfield was previously Chairman & CEO of Sony Music UK[3][4] and has held President positions at EMI (North America and UK), Island Records UK and Polydor Records/Polygram Music Publishing USA.[5]

Early life and education

Nick Gatfield was born in 1960 in Surrey, England. He attended the University of Surrey and the Royal Academy of Music.

Career

Nick Gatfield's music career began in 1982 when he joined Dexys Midnight Runners, playing saxophone and keyboards in support of the number one album, Too Rye Ay & global hit, Come On Eileen. After recording the follow up album, Don’t Stand Me Down Gatfield joined EMI in 1985 as an A&R manager and in house producer, before being promoted to head of A&R in 1987 where he oversaw the signings of Radiohead and Blur.[6] In 1992 he moved to Los Angeles to set up a new label within the Polygram Label Group, Atlas Records, which merged into Polydor Records in 1994 under Gatfield. He also added the role of President, Polygram Music Publishing shortly before the company was acquired by Seagram.[7] In 2001, he was hired by Universal Music as President of Universal Island Records UK where he oversaw a complete revamp of the label through signings including Amy Winehouse, Keane, Busted & Sugababes.[6] In 2008, EMI's new management under Terra Firma hired Gatfield as President New Music, North America & UK - artists signed during his leadership include Deadmau5, Swedish House Mafia, Tinie Tempah & Emilie Sande.[5] In 2011 he was appointed Chairman & CEO Sony Music UK.[3][8][9][10] In 2015 he founded Twin Music Inc, investing in early stage music talent and music entrepreneurs.[2][11][12][13] In October 2015, in partnership with the University of Westminster, Twin Music launched a music entrepreneur award.[14][15] Also in 2015, Gatfield co-founded and invested in Synchronized, an interactive video platform. He has also invested in a number of tech start ups.[16] In 2016, Gatfield founded Twin Xenomania Ltd. with producer/songwriter and Xenomania founder Brian Higgins.[17]

Artists

Nick Gatfield has worked with the following artists:[5][12] Radiohead Blur Amy Winehouse Mika Keane The Fratellis Sugababes Katy Perry Deadmau5 One Direction George Ezra Laura Mvula David Bowie One Direction

Film

Nick Gatfield featured in Amy, the 2015 documentary of Amy Winehouse, directed by Asif Kapadia, describing the singer as "a force of nature".

Awards

Gatfield was awarded International Music Executive of the Year 2013 at Worldwide Radio Summit in Los Angeles. He was awarded Corporate Luminary Award in 1998 by the American Society of Young Musicians.

References

  1. ^ The Evening Standard (19 September 2013). "The Power 1000 - London's most influential people 2013: Music Makers: Rock & Pop". Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  2. ^ a b Music Business Worldwide (1 June 2015). "Nick Gatfield launches Twin Music Inc to plug A&R Funding Gap". Retrieved 24 November 2015. {{cite news}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ a b Sabbagh, Dan (21 July 2011). "Sony Music appoints Nick Gatfield to head its British operations". Guardian. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  4. ^ Robinson, James (18 December 2011). "This business needs a massive shake up". Guardian. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  5. ^ a b c Arnott, Sarah (23 October 2011). "EMI poaches head of Island Records Nick Gatfield from Universal Music". Independent. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Interview with Nick Gatfield, MD A&R at Island for Mika, U2, Amy Winehouse". Hit Quarters. 8 October 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  7. ^ Curtis, Peter (15 February 2013). "Sony Music UK CEO Nick Gatfield". CBI. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  8. ^ "Xperia Access: Industry Insider - Sony Music UK CEO Nick Gatfield". Guardian. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  9. ^ Jones, Rhian (12 September 2013). "Gatfield: Music business 'looking more positive than it has for a long time". MusicWeek. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  10. ^ Scaife, Paul (12 September 2013). "Nick Gatfield announces A&R Academy at Sony Music's Annual Showcase 2013". Record of the Day. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  11. ^ Ingham, Tim (6 May 2015). "What is Nick Gatfield up to?". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  12. ^ a b Ingham, Tim (8 July 2015). "http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/nick-gatfield-on-ar-doug-morris-and-his-new-venture/". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved 25 November 2015. {{cite news}}: External link in |title= (help)
  13. ^ Hanley, James (12 June 2015). "Nick Gatfield launches Twin Music Inc". Music Week. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  14. ^ Pakinkis, Tom (28 October 2015). "Gatfield backed Music Entrepreneur Award open for entries". Music Week. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  15. ^ Hanley, James (16 October 2015). "Geoff Taylor and Nick Gatfield to speak at Music Futures". Music Week. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  16. ^ Ahmed, Murad (25 October 2015). "Taxi Groups unite to fight Uber with $250m start up". Financial Times. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  17. ^ "TWIN XENOMANIA LIMITED - Overview (free company information from Companies House)". Companies House. Retrieved 26 March 2018.