Rebecca Allen is now one of the few women around the world to lead a major label: the British exec has been named Managing Director of the UK’s most successful classical label, Decca.
Allen has spent 15 years at Universal Music, in which time she has held posts as Decca’s Director of Media and, most recently, General Manager.
Allen now reports jointly to Universal Music UK Chairman and CEO David Joseph and Dickon Stainer, who is continuing as President of Decca Records Group in the UK alongside his recent promotion to President and CEO of Global Classics for Universal Music.
David Joseph said: “Becky’s extraordinary dynamism and creativity has played a big part in Decca’s success. As MD I know she will ensure Decca continues as the undisputed leader in its many musical fields.”
Dickon Stainer said: “Becky is an exceptionally skilled and versatile executive. Her outstanding drive and personality have taken Decca into new areas of repertoire globally, and this well-deserved promotion heralds a new and ground-breaking era for the label.”
Rebecca Allen said: “To be given the role of Managing Director for a label of such historical importance as Decca is a huge privilege for me. We have a young and brilliantly talented team at the label and with their energy and ambition for our artists I feel confident about leading the company forward.”
After studying at the Trinity College of Music in London, Allen started her career at the BBC where she worked with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and later the BBC Proms. She joined Universal Classics & Jazz in 1999 and remained with the label after it was re-named Decca Records UK in 2009, working closely with artists including The Lumineers, Rod Stewart, Jamie Cullum, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, Andrea Bocelli, Gregory Porter and Alfie Boe. Allen was promoted to General Manager of the label in 2012.
Decca Records has been the number one classical record label in the UK for well over a decade, operating alongside its international sister label Decca Classics which is run by Managing Director Paul Moseley.
In recent years Decca Records has been selected as the official label partner of high profile events such as the 2011 Royal Wedding, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and the London 2012 Olympics.
The Decca roster includes current superstar artists Cecilia Bartoli, Nicola Benedetti, Andrea Bocelli, Katherine Jenkins, Alfie Boe, Ludovico Einaudi, Gareth Malone and many others.Music Business Worldwide
