More EMI Music news, and the major's UK chief Tony Wadsworth announced on Friday that the label had entered into a new deal with Keith Wozencroft, who is currently President of the company's main recorded music divisions - Capitol and Virgin Music. Under the new deal Wozencroft will stand down from his current post in July and instead found a new joint venture imprint with EMI, enabling him to take on a more active A&R role within the major, though still reporting directly to Wadsworth.
Confirming his new deal, Wozencroft told reporters: "I've always considered the possibility of building my own label; giving me the opportunity to focus on the worldwide development of fewer artists. I love my current role at EMI but I feel that now is the right time to make this move. I'm very pleased that under this new arrangement I'm able to maintain a close working relationship with Tony Wadsworth, the EMI labels and an incredible roster of artists".
Wadsworth added: "Keith has made a lasting contribution to EMI Music UK and I'm delighted that we will continue to benefit from his talents in this new venture. He leaves EMI Records, Parlophone and Virgin UK in great shape, having overseen multi-platinum, international success in the last year from each label with artists including Corinne Bailey-Rae, Lily Allen and The Kooks. We have top class MDs and their labels continue to do what EMI UK has always done best; sign and break British acts across the world".
After Wozencroft takes on his new role, the MDs of EMI Music's record label divisions EMI, Parlophone and Virgin - Terry Felgate, Miles Leonard and Ferdy Unger-Hamilton - who currently report to Wozencroft, will report directly to Wadsworth.