David Massey – president & CEO of Island Records US and one of the most high-profile British expats in the American business – has praised the UK biz as vital to the global music economy.

Last year may have been a tough one for new and established British artists alike, particularly internationally, but 2017 has seen a notable improvement in fortunes, thanks to debut releases from Rag’N’Bone Man and Stormzy plus staggering worldwide sales for Ed Sheeran’s ÷ album.

“The ...