Laura Monks And Tom Lewis Promoted To Co-Presidents At Decca

Universal Music UK has announced the promotions of Tom Lewis and Laura Monks to co-Presidents of Decca Records Group.

Tom Lewis and Laura Monks have led Decca Records, as co-MDs, for the past 19 months. During this hugely successful period the label broadened its creative output which included the breakthrough success of Jacob Collier, who made Grammy history by becoming the only artist in the show’s history to win an award for each of his first four albums, and the emergence of Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora whose hit single Runaway is making waves across the globe.

Decca Records has continued to excel in the classic, jazz, soundtracks and adult contemporary genres, playing a pivotal role in the ongoing success of artists including Gregory Porter, Ludovico Einaudi, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Andrea Bocelli, including his record-breaking Music For Hope concert from the Duomo in Milan during 2020’s global lockdown.

“Laura and Tom are exceptional leaders”

David Joseph, Universal Music UK Chairman and CEO, said, “Laura and Tom are exceptional leaders who complement each other brilliantly. They are perfectly placed to steer the legendary label into this exciting new chapter with both their creative vision and fearlessness to do things differently.”

Laura Monks noted, “Decca has had such a rich history and there is one thing that has always been fundamental to the label’s success: a true passion for music without boundaries that can connect deeply with international audiences. I feel incredibly honoured to be leading the next adventures of this label with Tom, especially knowing the opportunity for discovery and innovation on a global scale for our artists is now almost limitless.”

Tom Lewis added, “I’ve been obsessed with records my whole life. The teenage me would never have believed that one day, I’d be given the opportunity to lead one of recording history’s most legendary labels. Laura and I are so lucky to be working alongside such an ambitious and entrepreneurial team. And, we have such exciting plans for the next chapter in this label’s already extraordinary story.”

Laura Monks joined Decca Records nearly 10 years ago and previously held digital, commercial and marketing roles at the label before becoming General Manager in 2018.

Tom Lewis joined Decca 19 years ago as Label Manager for the jazz division before moving into A&R and later became VP of Decca, A&R and artist strategy. He has won MBW’s Adult Contemporary A&R of the Year award twice, in 2017 and 2019.

Decca Records is one of the most iconic record labels in the world

Decca Records is one of the most iconic record labels in the world and the UK’s longest living record label. Since the label’s formation in 1929, Decca has burgeoned from a prosperous British company to a fully-fledged international powerhouse, home to countless legendary musicians. The label’s history touches on every aspect of modern music, both pop and classical: from the beginnings of sound recording, via Bing Crosby, Dame Vera Lynn, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Luciano Pavarotti and The Three Tenors, to today’s chart-topping superstars including Andrea Bocelli, Ludovico Einaudi and Sheku Kanneh-Mason.

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