The widely-respected A&R specialist Charrington has signed and/or A&R’d 24 platinum or multi-platinum albums during her career, including the 12m-selling debut from Sam Smith, In The Lonely Hour.
She becomes co-President of Capitol Records UK alongside Nick Raphael, who has been at the helm since the Universal label’s launch in 2013.
The pair have worked together for 16 years.
Universal Music UK Chairman & CEO David Joseph said: “Jo has established herself as one of the outstanding music executives in the world.
“She has built her reputation in A&R but anyone who works with her knows her expertise extends to every aspect of her artists’ careers. Her achievements at Capitol, where she and Nick are an incredible team, have been genuinely world-beating.”
“Jo has established herself as one of the outstanding music executives in the world.”
David Joseph, Universal Music UK
Charrington’s career began as a marketing assistant at London Records in 1992.
After stints at Virgin Records and BMG she worked in artist management for five years before moving to Epic where she began working closely with her former London Records colleague Raphael.
The pair moved to Universal Music in 2011, with Charrington latterly as EVP A&R.
Raphael said: “Since I first met Jo in 1994 she has told me what to do! After 23 years she is now officially my co-President – thoroughly deserved.”
Charrington and Raphael have won the Music Week A&R award twice, in 2010 and 2015, for successes including Paloma Faith, Scouting For Girls, JLS, Imogen Heap, Russell Watson, Lemar, Charlotte Church, Aloe Blacc, Olly Murs and, most recently, Sam Smith and his Capitol label-mates 5 Seconds of Summer.
“I am fortunate to love my job and Universal are not only ambitious and supportive of their artists but also of their executives.”
Jo Charrington, Capitol Records
Their artists have also won multiple Grammys, BRITs, Ivor Novellos and MOBO awards.
In 2015 Charrington was named Businesswoman of the Year at the Women in Music Awards.
Said Charrington: “It’s an honour to be made co-President. I am fortunate to love my job and Universal are not only ambitious and supportive of their artists but also of their executives.
“Our team at Capitol are exemplary and I look forward to continuing to learn with them and support them in the future.”
Charrington’s promotion comes as Sam Smith returns to the top of charts worldwide with Too Good At Goodbyes, the first single from his highly-anticipated second album which is due for release this Autumn.Music Business Worldwide
