Decca Records is a frontline label at Universal Music UK in London. It releases music of all genres but has a particularly strong track record in classical, jazz, and crossover music from both genres.
Originally founded in 1929 by Edward Lewis, the modern Decca label worked with artists including Shirley Bassey, Andrea Bocelli, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Melody Gardot, Max Richter, Ludovico Einaudi and Gregory Porter.
The label’s catalog includes recordings by legendary artist such as Luciano Pavarotti, Dame Vera Lynn and Bing Crosby.
In the UK, Universal Classics & Jazz was re-named Decca Records UK in 2009, after which the label worked with artists including The Lumineers, Rod Stewart, Jamie Cullum, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, Andrea Bocelli, Gregory Porter and Alfie Boe.
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.
Rebecca Allen era
Rebecca Allen was named Managing Director of Decca at Universal Music UK in November 2014.
Before that promotion, Allen has spent 15 years at Universal Music, in which time she has held posts as Decca’s Director of Media and then its General Manager.
She was promoted to General Manager of Decca in 2012, having originally joined Universal Classics & Jazz in 1999, ten years before it was rebranded as Decca.
Allen was promoted again to the President of Decca Records Group UK in May 2017, after the label enjoyed standout success with artists such as Ball & Boe, Dame Vera Lynn and Imelda May.
Following her successful tenure at Decca, in June 2020 Rebecca Allen was announced as the new President of EMI Records, the biggest record label by album-equivalent market share in the UK.
In February 2020, Tom Lewis and Laura Monks were promoted to co-Managing Directors of Universal Music Group’s UK-based Decca Records Group.
Launch of Decca Publishing
In December 2016, Decca hired respected publishing exec Natasha Baldwin to launch a music publishing division dedicated to expanding opportunities for neo-classical composers to write for television, film and video games.
UK-based Decca Publishing was designed to complement Universal Music Publishing Classical (UMPC).
At the time, Universal Music UK Chairman & CEO, David Joseph, said: “Bringing together records and publishing under one roof at Decca will help us build the UK’s number one home for modern classical composers. Natasha’s incredible knowledge and vision for the potential of neo-classical music mean she is uniquely qualified to be its architect.”Music Business Worldwide