Ben Mortimer is the President of Polydor Records, a division of Universal Music Group, based in the UK.
Mortimer has been in his current role since 2021, following his promotion from his previous position as co-President alongside Tom March.
Throughout his career, Mortimer has worked with artists including Lana Del Rey, James Blake, Haim, Michael Kiwanuka, and The 1975.
BEN MORTIMER: EARLY CAREER AND ISLAND RECORDS
Ben Mortimer began his music industry career at Island Records in the UK, where he developed his A&R skills working under the guidance of respected executives including Darcus Beese.
At Island Records, Mortimer established himself as a key A&R executive, helping to shape the label’s roster during a significant period in its history. His time at Island saw him work closely with breakthrough artists and contribute to the label’s reputation for developing distinctive talent.
BEN MORTIMER: JOINING VIRGIN EMI AND RISE TO POLYDOR
In 2014, Mortimer joined Virgin EMI (now known as EMI Records) as Director of A&R. During his time there, he continued to build his reputation as a talent-focused executive with a strong ear for developing artists.
In 2016, Mortimer made the move to Polydor Records as co-President alongside Tom March, marking a significant step in his executive career. The duo led Polydor through a particularly successful period, with the label being named Record Company of the Year at the Music Week Awards in both 2019 and 2020.
In 2021, following Tom March’s departure to Geffen Records in the US, Mortimer was appointed sole President of Polydor Records, taking full leadership of one of the UK’s most successful major label operations.
BEN MORTIMER: LEADERSHIP STYLE AND SUCCESS AT POLYDOR
Under Mortimer’s leadership, Polydor has maintained its position as one of the UK’s market-leading labels, with a diverse roster spanning mainstream pop, alternative, and electronic music.
Known for his artist-centric approach, Mortimer has helped Polydor retain its competitive edge in the increasingly complex music landscape. During his tenure, the label has continued to succeed with established acts while breaking new talent in a challenging and rapidly evolving market.
Mortimer’s leadership has been characterized by a blend of commercial awareness and creative sensibility, maintaining Polydor’s position at the forefront of the UK music industry during a period of significant transformation.
Ben Mortimer: Philosophy
In an interview with Music Business Worldwide in October 2023, Mortimer was asked about his approach to running the storied label of Polydor.
He said: “For me, it’s about having artists that have developed here over a very, very long time, while also having an ability to deliver things at the coalface. It’s an absolute balance of quality and taste with serious commercial ability.”Music Business Worldwide
