Hannah Neaves has been appointed President of UMG U.K.’s catalogue division, Universal Music Recordings. She previously served as co-President.

Neaves’ promotion comes after a busy year for UMR. Over the last 12 months, the division has found new, young audiences globally for the music of Amy Winehouse, Elton John, Florence & The Machine, The Rolling Stones, The Spice Girls, Sam Smith and Bob Marley. The team has also been working on The Beatles’ "Now and Then," aka “the last Beatles song,” a project used AI and was led by Neaves.

David Joseph, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music U.K., described Neaves as “a truly exceptional and inspiring executive” and “an artist person with an innate understanding of where creativity and discovery meet.”

Neaves added: “I am enormously proud of everything the brilliant and successful team at UMR has already achieved, and feel privileged to be continuing the great work with the best artists in the world.”

Neaves was named co-President of UMR in 2022 alongside Azi Eftekhari, who we understand has since left the business. Her career has spanned roles at Mercury, Polydor, Atlantic and TaP Music. During that time, she’s worked with Dua Lipa, Rihanna, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding and Jess Glynne, among many.

Ahh, promotions. We wonder what they're like.