UMG TAPS DAVIES FOR ABBEY ROAD

UMG has appointed Sally Davies as managing director of London's Abbey Road Studios. She joins from Vivendi Village, where she was CEO of U-Live.

Davies takes over the role from Isabel Garvey, who joined Warner Music U.K. as Chief Operating Officer earlier this year.

Reporting to Universal Music U.K. COO David Sharpe, Davies brings a wealth of leadership experience in venues, theatre, festivals and events to Abbey Road.

“I’ve known Sally for a long time so it was an easy decision to appoint her to one of the most important leadership positions in our industry, at the forefront of world class recordings, sound innovation and creative education,” Universal Music U.K. Chairman and CEO David Joseph said.

“Sally balances creativity and business strategy exceptionally well and I couldn’t be happier to welcome her back to the Universal Music family.”

Across 10 years at promoter, producer and entertainment company U-Live (which UMG previously owned), Davies curated and nurtured events celebrating music, lifestyle and culture.

Her festival portfolio included the jazz-focused Love Supreme and music and ideas event, Kite. She also had one foot in immersive theatre as the producer of Mamma Mia the Party!, alongside Björn Ulvaeus, and oversaw Vivendi’s investments in live entertainment.

Producer Giles Martin, Abbey Road’s head of Audio & Sound, said: “Sally’s wealth of experience dealing with artists around the world linked to her empathy and knowledge of music is the perfect fit for Abbey Road. She has a passion for innovation as well as understanding the extraordinary legacy of the world’s most famous recording studio.”