SEMERA KHAN Polydor Label Group
As the winner of the Special Recognition honour at Women In Music Awards this year, how would you sum up the importance of the visual side of campaigns in 2025? “Visuals are just as important as ever. If anything, this has accelerated in 2025. Every artist’s visual campaign is so key – I have been particularly obsessed with Rosalía’s and Charli XCX’s campaigns. We are approaching each visual piece, whether short- or long-form, as curated content, almost like a music video. No matter the artist, every visual matters, especially for developing artists – it’s important to set the tone from the very start.”
Having worked on Sam Fender this year, it must mean even more that such poignant work is connecting with a big audience? “It’s been inspiring to work with Sam Fender this year and it’s been such a huge one for him. We feel very proud, as a team, to have been part of his People Watching campaign. It’s been such a big success, the visuals have really connected, and it’s really motivating for us to see that
BEN
collaboration and hard work pay off. We have set the tone for the next campaign, and set a high bar! It’s exciting.”
What was your track of 2025? “CMAT – Take A Sexy Picture Of Me. I love a smart banger!”
And your favourite album? “Sam Fender’s. An immense emotional journey.”
WYNTER Power Up/
Unstoppable Music Can you share the biggest
lesson you learned about the breadth of the UK music industry this year? “The industry’s future isn’t just in London. We have exceptional executive and creative talent in places like Yorkshire, Manchester, the North East and Bristol. We must target parity of investment and attention to these emerging hubs. If we inject capital and focus, they will become the next powerhouses driving the wider UK music economy.”
What was your track of 2025? “Kehlani’s Folded. It has that essential, nostalgic early-noughties R&B texture, but it’s the combination of clever, modern lyricism and the sheer heartfelt passion in her delivery that elevates it.”
And your favourite album? “Dave and Knucks made the two most important albums of 2025.”
PETE
TOM GREENE Apple Corps
You started as CEO at Apple Corps in September, how are you settling in? “Great, it’s a fantastic job, full of lots of exciting possibilities. It’s been interesting coming from outside the music business and finding that balance between understanding how the industry works, while trying to keep some independent-mindedness.”
When you took the role, you talked about “new and innovative ways to bring The Beatles’ unique magic to all generations of fans”. Can you reveal what’s coming up? “Stay tuned! But what is public knowledge are the forthcoming Sam Mendes films. There have been a lot of music biopics, but no one
has approached it quite like us: four films, one from each band member’s point of view. I can’t wait to have those out in cinemas in a few years.”
What was your favourite track and album of 2025?
“During the last stages of interviewing for the Apple role, I had in-person meetings with all of the key people. On the New York leg of the trip, I went for a run in Central Park listening to the new Bon Iver album. It was a sunny, crisp day and the first time I heard If Only I Could Wait with Danielle Haim was just as I ran by Strawberry Fields. It became a soundtrack for me in a crazy year, personally. The album I’ve listened to more than anything else is the new Florence + The Machine record. I’m looking forward to seeing her on tour early next year.”
SIMMONS
Universal Music Publishing Group How did things develop on
an A&R front at Universal Music Publishing Group UK this year?
Congratulations to SEMERA KHAN
What would you say was the best track released in 2025?
“Skye Newman’s Family Matters. It was a song that I think will stand the test of time.”
And your favourite album?
SPECIAL RECOGNITION WINNER AT THE WOMEN IN MUSIC AWARDS 2025
“EsDeeKid – Rebel. It was a masterclass in world building. Who saw Scouse rap leading the underground rap conversation globally in 2025?”
HELEN SMITH IMPALA
IMPALA has led campaigns on TikTok, plus Universal’s proposed takeover of Downtown, recently. Has
that proved its effectiveness as an advocate? “This question came in the day before our AGM, so it was perfect timing and the answer was a resounding ‘yes’. We have seen a clear need for strong voices in the sector. We supported UMG’s decision to take their repertoire off TikTok and are pursuing a solution in Brussels to ensure gatekeepers cannot take away the independent sector’s right to rely on collective licensing.
musicweek.com
Along with UMG’s attempt to buy Downtown, both cases highlight the importance of the independent sector and its labels and artists in more ways than one. Our voice also plays a key role in other big issues such as AI, where the debate can be very quickly depicted as big tech vs big music.”
What was your track of 2025?
“Sweetie by Kokoroko released via Brownswood Recordings. A little bit of sweetness from this summer, this made my heartbeat bounce, as the lyrics say.”
And your favourite album? “Bertrand Belin’s Watt on Cinq7/Wagram.”
“When I look at our breaking artists and writers, UMPG UK discovered, developed and were an integral part of their story and successes. I’m really proud of that. I want us to be known for our service, not the size or the volume of the deals we do. We’re practising what we preach and proving our value and ability to make meaningful change regularly.”
VICTORIA NEEDS AWAL
What was the moment that defined CMAT’s success for you this year? “CMAT (above) is magic. Her ability to write accessible songs with such depth of narrative is unrivalled, but my biggest reflection is how hard she’s worked this year. Seeing 80,000 people doing the Dunboyne County Two-Step at the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury was quite a moment. She’s the best live performer in the UK right now.”
How do you reflect now on joining the Women In Music Awards Roll Of Honour? “It’s really an honour to have been listed
alongside such esteemed women, and a great reminder of how important it is for me to support and celebrate the young women coming through.”
What was your track of 2025? “Raye’s Where Is My Husband! is a banger.”
And your favourite album?
“It can’t be anything other than CMAT’s Euro-Country. If you haven’t delved deeper than the focus releases, album tracks like Iceberg, Ready and Lord, Let That Tesla Crash hit you emotionally in ways you just wouldn’t expect.”
Music Week | 49
PHOTOS: Will Ireland, Sarah Doyle, Alice Backham, Paul Harries, Louise Haywood-Schiefer
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