Warner Music UK has just announced that Joe Kentish, head of A&R at Warner Records since 2014, will become its president starting 1 June. He will be taking up the mantle, replacing current president Phil Christie, who decided to take a step down after five years. Christie says of the transition: “I’ve enjoyed my time at Warner Records hugely, and I’m incredibly proud of everything we have achieved together. The label is unrecognisable from the one I walked into in 2014. Now the time has come for me to look ahead and move on, and I couldn’t be happier for Joe, who deserves every accolade.”
Joe Kentish (@J2theizzOE) takes over as president at Warner Records UK https://t.co/LJD1U17LBB pic.twitter.com/VmKOHjWHEa
— Music Week (@MusicWeek) May 17, 2021
Kentish is responsible for signing talented acts such as Griff and Dua Lipa. In his new position, he will be more involved with making calls, being in charge of strategy of the company as a whole, under CEO of Warner Music UK Tony Harlow. Harlow believes in the work Kentish has already done, and has full confidence it will translate smoothly to his new role, saying, “Joe truly is one of the most talented and instinctively brilliant Execs out there, and his track record speaks for itself. Not only is he an incredibly talented A&R, but he’s someone with a comprehensive understanding of what great artist development takes. He can spot distinctive British talent in its infancy and nurture it into a successful career that resonates in the UK and on the global stage; his unique creative relationship with Dua is a testament to that. I couldn’t be more pleased to see him take the reins of Warner Records and to watch him continue to do what he does best; create great music and bring out the best in people.”
The future Warner Records president has had a lot of experience in the music industry, having worked at Middlerow Records, EMI Music, and Universal Music Group. His role in bringing in Griff and Dua Lipa to the Warner Music family allowed the company to enjoy much success in 2021 already, with Griff winning the BRITs Rising Star Award, and Dua Lipa winning Female Solo Artist and Mastercard Album of the Year. Warner Music UK patiently waits to see what else Kentish brings to the table as he starts his new role this summer.
