Warner Music UK has announced that Briony Turner and Ed Howard have been promoted to co-presidents of Atlantic Records UK. The appointments are effective from January 1.
Turner, who joined Atlantic in 2009, is upped from co-head of A&R for the label. Howard is currently MD of Asylum Records UK, the Atlantic UK imprint that he joined upon its inception 12 years ago.
The appointments follow the shock exit of label president Ben Cook, who quit after admitting to what he described as an offensive appearance as a member of Run DMC at a party seven years earlier.
Howard and Turner will oversee the creative and strategic direction of the company as well as the implementation of campaigns for its roster of UK, US, and international artists, including Anne-Marie, Bruno Mars, Cardi B, Charli XCX, Clean Bandit, Ed Sheeran, Jess Glynne, Lizzo, Paolo Nutini, Rita Ora, Rudimental and Stormzy. Stormzy is currently chasing the No.1 album and single.
Along with their Atlantic/Asylum colleagues, including A&R co-head Alex Boateng, Turner and Howard were triumphant in the A&R category at the 2019 Music Week Awards. Atlantic was named Record Company Of The Year at the ceremony in 2018.
They are brilliantly suited to take this culture-shifting label into the future
Tony Harlow
Tony Harlow, incoming chairman & CEO of Warner Music UK, said: “From its inception in the States over seven decades ago, to the creation of the first stand-alone Atlantic Records UK company in 2004, the label has been guided by A&R-driven, independent-spirited leaders. Briony and Ed are carrying on that tradition with enormous success, time and time again showing that they can spot truly original talent and develop global superstars. Their artists break the mould, transcend boundaries, and drive the conversation. They are brilliantly suited to take this culture-shifting label into the future.”
Turner’s signings include Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne, who holds the record for the most No.1s by a British female solo artist ever. She joined the label from Global Talent Publishing, where she was instrumental in signing Ellie Goulding, Al Shux and LMFAO. Turner began her career at 19 Entertainment, working closely with Pop Idol winner Will Young.
Howard has played a key role in the development of artists such as Ed Sheeran, Rudimental, Charli XCX, and Anne-Marie. Since signing Sheeran in late 2010, Howard has worked closely with the superstar singer-songwriter, the Official Charts Company artist of the decade.
Howard said: “Since relaunching Asylum 12 years ago, our aim has been to match the creativity, passion and drive of the unique artists with whom we’re privileged to work. We’ve sparked collaboration and opportunity across our creative community, with an ambition to move the world. That philosophy extends to the entire Atlantic roster, team and culture. And, I know it will form the foundation of my partnership with Briony. I’m so proud to begin this chapter with her, Tony, and the incredible Atlantic team, as we nurture generation-defining talent from the UK and across the globe.”
Turner said: “Atlantic has been my home for ten years this month, and I couldn’t be more excited to be embarking on this next phase with Ed and the team. Giving artists the care, guidance and support they need to create their best music is what we strive to do every day at Atlantic UK. This artist-first philosophy is at the heart of what Ed and I believe in, and I know that together, we’ll keep pushing Atlantic forward, breaking new ground as we go. I’d like to thank our outstanding Atlantic team for their continued support, and join Ed in welcoming Tony into the Warner Music UK family.”
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