Atlantic Records UK has hired Rich Castillo as A&R Director.
He will report into label Co-Presidents, Briony Turner and Ed Howard.
Castillo joins Atlantic from Sony/ATV Music Publishing, where he held the position of Senior Director of A&R.
During his time there, he helped revamp the A&R department and signed the likes of Neave Applebaum, Pa Salieu, TMS, and Wayne Hector.
The new hire marks the second senior appointment made by Howard and Turner since they became Co-Presidents of Atlantic UK at the end of last year.
Castillo joins Liz Goodwin, who was announced as the label’s new General Manager last month.
Castillo started his career at the management company Shalit Global, where he helped launch and develop the multi-platinum, award-winning group N-Dubz.
In 2012, he joined UMTV and All Around the World in an A&R role, signing N-Dubz stars Dappy and Tulisa to solo deals – yielding No.1 records with Dappy’s No Regrets and Tulisa’s Young.
He also signed HRVY and Young Adz, when the latter was just 14 years old, and enjoyed a top 10 single with Charlie Brown’s On My Way.
Castillo then moved to Universal Music Canada in 2014, where he served as an A&R Director for two years, landing a Juno Award for Best Dance Song with Bit Funk’s Off the Ground.
In 2016, he returned to the UK to join Polydor Records and take on the role of Senior A&R Manager. While there, he signed Stefflon Don and had a number of hits, including the global smash Hurtin’ Me.
He also signed Big Heath, Blanco, and Mic Lowry, and A&R’d the latest album from Wretch 32.
“Rich has great ears and a brilliant track record for finding and creating massive pop hits.”
Briony Turner
Briony Turner said: “Rich has great ears and a brilliant track record for finding and creating massive pop hits.
“His experience and energy will make him a welcome addition to the A&R team. We’re looking forward to all the amazing music and incredible artists that we know he’ll be bringing into the fold.”
“The talent within the building and across our roster will keep us at the forefront of the industry, and we’re incredibly excited for the future.”
Ed Howard
Ed Howard added: “Rich is the latest in a series of senior hires that we’re making, and combined with our already outstanding team, this puts us in a great position to continue to discover future stars and deliver world-class service to our artists.
“The talent within the building and across our roster will keep us at the forefront of the industry, and we’re incredibly excited for the future.”
“Joining Ed and Briony’s team was something I just couldn’t turn down.”
Rich Castillo
Rich Castillo said: “Atlantic Records has been the number one label for breaking domestic talent in the UK for as long as I’ve been in the business.
“Joining Ed and Briony’s team was something I just couldn’t turn down. Tony Harlow has been very clear about his ambitions for the company, and it’s an absolute privilege to be a part of it.”Music Business Worldwide
