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 ofSony Music UK[3][4] and has held President positions atEMI (North America and UK),Island Records UK andPolydor Records/Polygram Music Publishing USA.[5]
Gatfield was born in 1960 inSurrey, England. He attendedChurcher's College, theUniversity of Surrey and theRoyal Academy of Music.
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 joinedDexys Midnight Runners, playing saxophone and keyboards in support of the number one albumToo Rye Ay and global hit single "Come On Eileen". After recording the follow-up albumDon't Stand Me Down, Gatfield joinedEMI 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 ofRadiohead andBlur.[7] In 1992 he moved to Los Angeles to set up a new label within thePolygram Label Group, Atlas Records, which merged intoPolydor Records in 1994 under Gatfield. He also added the role of President,Polygram Music Publishing shortly before the company was acquired bySeagram.[8] In 2001, he was hired byUniversal Music as President of UniversalIsland Records UK where he oversaw a complete revamp of the label through signings includingAmy Winehouse,Keane,Busted andSugababes.[7] In 2008, EMI's new management underTerra Firma hired Gatfield as President New Music, North America and UK – artists signed during his leadership includeDeadmau5,Swedish House Mafia,Tinie Tempah andEmeli Sandé.[5] In 2011 he was appointed chairman and CEO ofSony 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 theUniversity 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 andXenomania founderBrian Higgins.[18]
Gatfield featured inAmy, the 2015 documentary ofAmy Winehouse, directed byAsif Kapadia.
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.
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