UMG U.K. BOLSTERS CATALOG DIVISION

Hannah Neaves, left, and Azi Eftekhari will head up Universal Music U.K.’s catalog division as co-presidents.

Universal Music U.K. has hired Azi Eftekhari and Hannah Neaves as co-presidents of its catalog division. They will report to chairman and CEO David Joseph.

Said Joseph, “I want the best team, with future-focused ideas, to deliver for the songs, albums and artists that make up the greatest catalog of music in the world. Azi and Hannah are extraordinarily dynamic and creative executives who will bring this and so much more.”

Eftekhari oversaw the launch of YouTube Music in Europe and the rollout of the Google Play subscription service in more than 40 countries as Head of Label Relations (EMEA) at YouTube/Google. She was previously Director of Digital and Publicity at Mercury Records and, in 2007, the first Head of Digital at Universal Music Catalogue.

Neaves has been instrumental in developing artists like Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, Ellie Goulding and James Blake. She started her career at EMI, then moved to Polydor and later, Atlantic Records, where she was part of the team behind Sheeran’s Divide campaign. Neaves subsequently joined TaP Music as Head of Artist Development and Marketing, in which capacity she oversaw marketing and creative for Lipa’s Future Nostalgia.

Most recently, Eftekhari and Neaves launched the agency Remedy Inc., which focuses on creative in music, fashion, tech and theater.

Their appointments follow the promotions of Universal Music Catalogue co-MDs Richard Hinkley and David Rowe. Hinkley is MD of UMC, reporting to Eftekhari and Neaves. Rowe has taken on the new role of SVP, Universal Music U.K. He will build on UM U.K.’s track record and relationships in catalog repertoire.