LONDON (CelebrityAccess) – Universal Music Group has today (Nov. 28) announced the promotion of Tom Lewis to the role of Vice President of Decca, A&R and Artist Strategy.
Tom steps into the role after joining Universal Classics & Jazz 15 years ago as Label Manager for the Jazz division, before becoming Head of Consumer Marketing. He moved into A&R three years later, as Head of A&R and then Senior Director of A&R and Artist Strategy. Since then, he has worked with a diverse range of artists including Imelda May, Alfie Boe, The Fron Male Voice Choir, The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, The Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz, Katherine Jenkins and Gareth Malone & his Military Wives Choir, and overseen the signings of acts such as The Lumineers, Aurora, The Shires, Jeff Goldblum, Seal and Michael Ball & Alfie Boe.
He will continue to report to Rebecca Allen, President of Decca Records.
Commenting on the appointment, Allen said: “As Decca continues to evolve and grow into a leading global music company, so must our approach to A&R, to our artists, and to our unrivalled passion for seeking out and breaking new artists. With this in mind, I am thrilled that Tom’s role will further expand into the heart of the label, and with his uniqueness as a music executive, as a music lover and as a music producer, there is no doubt in my mind, that his passion, energy and drive, will help define many more moments in Decca’s illustrious history.”
Lewis added, “I’m absolutely delighted and honoured to take on this new challenge. It feels like such an exciting time at Decca. We celebrate our 90th Anniversary next year and have spent a long time looking back on our history. It really is a special place to work. The label is buzzing and full of a spirit of adventure.”
Prior to joining the Universal team, Lewis began his music career at EMI, working in domestic and international marketing. During this time, he played a key part in launching the career of Jamie Cullum and worked with both Diana Krall and Madeleine Peyroux.
Also joining Tom will be Decca’s new Head of A&R, Rachel Holmberg, who was previously the Editor for BBC Music Introducing, as well as A&R Manager, Sam Mumford. Sam has, most recently, been A&R Manager for Imagem, signing artists and writers including Temples, Circa Waves, Oh Wonder and Owen Cutts (Stormzy).
The Decca roster currently includes Rod Stewart, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Ludovico Einaudi, Katherine Jenkins, Alfie Boe, Nicola Benedetti, Joseph Calleja and Andrea Bocelli among others.
Next year the label celebrates its 90th anniversary.
