POLYDOR U.K. TAPS POP/URBAN A&R RICH CASTILLO

After two years as A&R Director at Universal Canada, Rich Castillo is heading back to the U.K. to join Polydor under the new presidency of Ben Mortimer and Tom March as Senior A&R Manager. Castillo is known for his work with pop and urban acts, and he starts his new job on 6/13.

The move was rumored last week in Record of the Day, and has since been confirmed to us by UMG U.K.

Castillo began his career in management in 2004 at Jonathan Shalit's ROAR Global. While there, he developed hip hop/R&B group N-Dubz into a multi-platinum selling, Mobo-winning arena act with deals on both sides of the Atlantic.

In 2012, Castillo joined UMTV and All Around The World in a full-time A&R role signing chart-topping solo records for N-Dubz members Tulisa and Dappy, among other projects, before leaving for Canada.

Said Mortimer: "Where do you start with Rich? He's got a keen ear for a big pop hit, is hugely respected and is an absolute grafter. He is also one of the nicest guys out there. Getting him back to the U.K. is a dream for us, and a real statement about the dynamic and energetic atmosphere we're creating at Polydor."

Castillo added: “I have enjoyed being in Canada and part of the exciting future of music created here but the chance to join Tom and Ben at Polydor was too good an opportunity to miss. It's an incredibly exciting time to be returning to the U.K. with the way things are unfolding for pop and urban music.”