Nick Gatfield

Nick Gatfield is a British music industry executive, entrepreneur and investor.^[1] He is the founder of Twin Music Inc, providing angel investment for music and entrepreneurial talent and is co-founder and/or investor in a number of businesses including interactive video platform, Synchronized.^[2] Gatfield was previously chairman & CEO of Sony Music UK^[3][4] and has held President positions at EMI (North America and UK), Island Records UK and Polydor Records/Polygram Music Publishing USA.^[5]

Early life and education

Gatfield was born in 1960 in Surrey, England. He attended Churcher's College, the University of Surrey and the Royal Academy of Music.

Career

Gatfield's music career began in 1979 when he replaced Neil Pyzer in a Farnborough / Aldershot jazz funk band called Crosswinds.^[6] In 1982 he joined Dexys Midnight Runners, playing saxophone and keyboards in support of the number one album Too Rye Ay and global hit single "Come On Eileen". After recording the follow-up album Don't Stand Me Down, Gatfield joined EMI in 1985 as an A&R manager and in-house producer, before being promoted to head of A&R in 1987 where he oversaw the signings of Radiohead and Blur.^[7] In 1992 he moved to Los Angeles to set up a new label within the Polygram Label Group, Atlas Records, which merged into Polydor Records in 1994 under Gatfield. He also added the role of President, Polygram Music Publishing shortly before the company was acquired by Seagram.^[8] In 2001, he was hired by Universal Music as President of Universal Island Records UK where he oversaw a complete revamp of the label through signings including Amy Winehouse, Keane, Busted and Sugababes.^[7] In 2008, EMI's new management under Terra Firma hired Gatfield as President New Music, North America and UK – artists signed during his leadership include Deadmau5, Swedish House Mafia, Tinie Tempah and Emeli Sandé.^[5] In 2011 he was appointed chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK.^{[3][9][10][11]} In 2015 he founded Twin Music Inc, investing in early stage music talent and music entrepreneurs.^{[2][12][13][14]} In October 2015, in partnership with the University of Westminster, Twin Music launched a music entrepreneur award.^[15][16] Also in 2015, Gatfield co-founded and invested in Synchronized, an interactive video platform. He has also invested in a number of tech start ups.^[17] In 2016, Gatfield founded Twin Xenomania Ltd. with producer/songwriter and Xenomania founder Brian Higgins.^[18]

Film

Gatfield featured in Amy, the 2015 documentary of Amy Winehouse, directed by Asif Kapadia.

Awards

Gatfield was awarded International Music Executive of the Year 2013 at Worldwide Radio Summit in Los Angeles. He was awarded Corporate Luminary Award in 1998 by the American Society of Young Musicians.

References

1. "The Power 1000 – London's most influential people 2013: Music Makers: Rock & Pop". London Evening Standard. 19 September 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
2. Music Business Worldwide (1 June 2015). "Nick Gatfield launches Twin Music Inc to plug A&R Funding Gap". Retrieved 24 November 2015. {{cite news}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
3. Sabbagh, Dan (21 July 2011). "Sony Music appoints Nick Gatfield to head its British operations". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
4. Robinson, James (18 December 2011). "This business needs a massive shake up". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
5. Arnott, Sarah (23 October 2011). "EMI poaches head of Island Records Nick Gatfield from Universal Music". Independent. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
6. "Crosswinds band profile on Soundscene)".
7. "Interview with Nick Gatfield, MD A&R at Island for Mika, U2, Amy Winehouse". Hit Quarters. 8 October 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
8. Curtis, Peter (15 February 2013). "Sony Music UK CEO Nick Gatfield". CBI. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
9. "Xperia Access: Industry Insider – Sony Music UK CEO Nick Gatfield". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
10. Jones, Rhian (12 September 2013). "Gatfield: Music business 'looking more positive than it has for a long time". MusicWeek. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
11. Scaife, Paul (12 September 2013). "Nick Gatfield announces A&R Academy at Sony Music's Annual Showcase 2013". Record of the Day. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
12. Ingham, Tim (6 May 2015). "What is Nick Gatfield up to?". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
13. Ingham, Tim (8 July 2015). "Nick Gatfield on A&R, the Major Labels and His New Venture". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
14. Hanley, James (12 June 2015). "Nick Gatfield launches Twin Music Inc". Music Week. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
15. Pakinkis, Tom (28 October 2015). "Gatfield backed Music Entrepreneur Award open for entries". Music Week. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
16. Hanley, James (16 October 2015). "Geoff Taylor and Nick Gatfield to speak at Music Futures". Music Week. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
17. Ahmed, Murad (25 October 2015). "Taxi Groups unite to fight Uber with $250m start up". Financial Times. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
18. "TWIN XENOMANIA LIMITED – Overview (free company information from Companies House)". Companies House. Retrieved 26 March 2018.