It’s been 15 long months since MBW broke the news that Warner’s London-based Parlophone was getting a new team of Co-Presidents – Mark Mitchell and Nick Burgess.
Mitchell, formerly UK General Manager of Atlantic Records, took up his new role at Parlophone in January 2018. He’s been waiting a full year for Burgess to arrive – but now that’s finally going to happen.
Burgess (pictured inset), who was most recently SVP of A&R at Universal‘s Virgin EMI, will become Co-President of Parlophone on Friday (February 1).
Both Burgess and Mitchell report to Max Lousada, CEO of Recorded Music, WMG and Chairman & CEO, Warner Music UK.
Together, they will oversee all aspects of Parlophone Records, including A&R, marketing, press, promotion, digital, and design.
Lousada said: “Parlophone has always provided an environment for independent, unconventional artists that influence and change culture.
“Nick comes to Warner with an outstanding track record of finding and breaking original British talent, and I’ve always been impressed by his vision, fearlessness, and creative spirit. He’s the perfect choice to join Mitch in taking this legendary label into the future. Together, they’ll make a dynamic, transformative leadership team that will grow Parlophone’s presence on the global stage.”
“Nick is the perfect choice to join Mitch in taking this legendary label into the future. Together, they’ll make a dynamic, transformative leadership team that will grow Parlophone’s presence on the global stage.”
Burgess noted: “Parlophone has been making its mark on British culture for as long as I can remember, and I could not be more excited, or more humbled, to have the opportunity to play a part in navigating this iconic label into its next chapter.
“Both Mitch and I live and breathe the artist-first philosophy, and we intend to place that at the heart of every decision we make, ensuring that Parlophone delivers on our vision to be an innovative and progressive label partner for unique, exciting and culturally significant artists who share our global ambition”
Mitchell said: “I’m hugely excited to welcome Nick into the Warner family, whose commitment to shaping the success of our current roster, as well as identifying and nurturing the talent of tomorrow, is at the very fibre of who we are. Parlophone is a well loved label – it means something to people and we intend to make artists and fans very proud.
“For us, the goal is to create a home for artists that is synonymous with creativity, authenticity, support, and mutual respect – all the elements that will define our working partnership together.”
At Virgin EMI, Burgess signed and worked with artists including Bastille, Chvrches, Blossoms, MNEK, Lewis Capaldi, Loyle Carner and Hardy Caprio amongst others.
From 2008 until 2011, he was MD of Jive Records UK, signing and launching Chipmunk as one of the first UK rappers to achieve platinum album status. He was previously with Virgin records from 2002 until 2008, where he advanced to Head of A&R in 2005, signing multi-platinum artists such as The Kooks and The Thrills.
Burgess began his A&R career at Gut Records in 1999, following a five-year stint as a guitarist signed to EMI.Music Business Worldwide
