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Defected Records acquired in management buyout

By | Published on Wednesday 24 August 2022

Defected Records Logo

Defected Records has been acquired by Managing Director Wez Saunders. He takes over as CEO from Simon Dunmore, who founded the company in 1999 and will stay on in an A&R consultant role.

“Defected has always upheld house music’s standards globally by supporting innovative artists and by consistently servicing our community with quality recorded music, live events, digital marketing strategies and more”, says Saunders.

“I am grateful to Simon Dunmore for his ongoing mentorship and for trusting us to continue his legacy, evolving the next generation of Defected”, he goes on. “It is our intention – alongside partners, associates, talent and staff – to preserve the culture and values that built such a powerful community of artists and fans, while driving the business into a new era of investment, impact and expansion”.

Dunmore adds: “Having survived multiple transitional battles and near-death experiences, I am proud to be considered a house music pirate, an entrepreneur waving the flag for the culture I love and in doing so building a reputable company that has marauded its way through the turbulent music industry for the last 23 years”.

“All captains need a first mate, a leader to steady the ship and lead the crew”, he continues. “Wez Saunders has been my righthand man for eight years. Together, we have navigated Defected into prolific times, helping build an incredible team and a business with solid foundations due to its treasure chest of masters and publishing catalogues”.

“Dance music is in the ascendancy and a rising tide lifts all the boats”, he says, looking to the future of the company he started. “These are exciting times and I’ll continue to be part of Defected’s campaigns, but now I am delighted to be handing over the helm to Wez, who alongside our new partners will guide Defected into new fertile waters. A new era”.

Saunders joined Defected in 2014, originally as Singles Manager. Prior to that, he had worked at his own label, Endemic Digital, and other labels, and as an artist manager.



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