Well-regarded British A&R executive Nick Huggett has joined Because Music as Chief Creative Officer at its UK company.
The news comes eight months after Because’s most senior UK-based executive, Jane Third, left the business to join [PIAS], also as Chief Creative Officer.
Huggett arrives at Because following a stint at Parlophone Records, which he joined in 2016.
The executive is best-known in industry circles for signing Adele, M.I.A and Dizzee Rascal at XL Recordings, where he arrived in 2002 following a stint working at Mo’Wax.
He moved to Columbia Records UK in 2007 as Head of A&R, before joining Island in 2009 where he signed the likes of Rizzle Kicks and Alex Clare.
Huggett’s move to Because Music was first reported by British trade paper Music Week, and has since been confirmed by MBW sources.
Others joining Because’s London base in tandem with Huggett include ex-Warner exec Lisa Rimmer and ex-Ignition exec Laura Kelly.
Because Music is currently expanding its operations into the US market following a wide-ranging new deal with Universal’s Caroline International that commenced in January.
As part of that agreement, UMG now provides worldwide marketing, promotion and physical distribution (ex-France) services to Because.
The agreement with UMG sees Because globally distribute its own digital catalogue to streaming and download platforms across the world – tied to the company’s membership of Merlin.
That could mean that Because participates in any payout resulting in Merlin’s ownership of shares in Spotify, which will float on the New York Stock Exchange on April 3.Music Business Worldwide
