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New bosses for Universal’s UK catalogue division
By Chris Cooke | Published on Monday 28 July 2014
“When is Universal UK going to get round to promoting Richard Hinkley and David Rowe to the roles of joint MDs of Universal Music Catalogue”, I think we’ve all asked at some point these past few years. Well, people, the time is now. Right now. This very minute. Well, 1 Sep. Though they’re announcing it right now.
“But what the hell”, you’re now asking. “What about the marvellous Karen Simmonds who’s been running Universal Music Catalogue so well these past few years?” Though I’m not sure that concern is genuine, given how keen you were for Hinkley and Rowe to be promoted in the last paragraph.
But fear not, Simmonds has chosen to stand down and take a break from this big bad business of sound. Says Simmonds to CMU: “I am sad to leave behind so many wonderful people, particularly at such an exciting time for the business. But equally, I’m looking forward to my new life which for the first time in many years won’t be dictated by a release schedule!”
And here’s Universal UK big cheese David Joseph with the finale quote you’ll probably all ignore: “Anyone who knows Karen knows that music is not her only passion and it isn’t the biggest surprise that the wilds of western Wales have lured her away from us. Karen has made an immeasurable contribution to our business and we will miss her greatly. Karen built an exceptional team at UMC and we are fortunate that she is handing over to two such able successors as Richard Hinkley and David Rowe”.
