Jo Charrington named Co-President of EMI Records

Universal Music UK has today (March 17) confirmed that its EMI and Capitol labels are uniting under the joint leadership of Rebecca Allen and Jo Charrington, effective immediately. Charrington was previously President of Capitol Records UK. Her former Co-President at that label, Nick Raphael, left Universal Music UK in January. Charrington and Raphael signed, developed and broke the likes of Sam Smith and 5 Seconds Of Summer over the past decade. In her nine years at Capitol, Charrington – who became sole President of that label earlier this year – also worked with talent including Aitch, Mae Muller and Zoe Wees, all of whom are working on new music for 2022. EMI Records is Universal Music UK’s biggest label by market share, both in terms of album sales and album-equivalent streaming. Capitol Records UK’s roster and team now become part of the wider EMI operation; Capitol Records UK will continue as a division of EMI label group, alongside Motown UK. This week’s move pairs Charrington with Rebecca Allen as Co-Presidents of EMI Records. In the past 12 months, with Allen as its President, EMI has released No.1 albums from Bastille, Elton John, Kanye West, Taylor Swift and The Killers in the UK. David Joseph, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music UK said of the new EMI setup: “This is a game changing moment for EMI. Becky and Jo make an exceptional team with a united vision for what a modern record label should be. “Becky’s leadership together with Jo’s unrivalled A&R track record sets up what promises to be an exciting new era for EMI and their artists”. Jo Charrington, Co-President of EMI said: “I’m honoured to be joining Becky, and the outstanding EMI team at what is an incredibly exciting time for the label. It really does feel like the stars have aligned for us both. “For a label steeped in history and culture, our ambition and vision is simple. We want to develop and nurture the very best talent from across the world. Talent whose artistry will no doubt write the next chapter of EMI’s legacy as the UK’s most celebrated record label.” Rebecca Allen, Co-President of EMI said: “I’m delighted to begin this journey with Jo and to welcome the brilliant Capitol team to EMI. Jo is someone who I have always admired and respected, both as a friend and as an outstanding executive. We’ve built a fantastic relationship over the years and we will be running a label that is both innovative and forward thinking with our artists and their music always at the heart”. After starting her career at London Records, Charrington spent five years in artist management before moving into A&R, a change which led her to Universal Music in 2011 as vice-president of A&R, initially for London Records then Capitol Records when it was launched as a UK label in 2013. Throughout her career she has had wide-ranging success with artists including 5SOS, Paloma Faith, Scouting For Girls, JLS, Liam Payne, Imogen Heap, Lemar, Aloe Blacc and Olly Murs as well as Sam Smith. Ted Cockle, who previously ran EMI Records (then Virgin EMI) before Rebecca Allen was appointed the label’s President in 2020, has since joined Merck Mercuriadis‘ Hipgnosis as its President.