BECAUSE WRAPS UP A&R EXEC HUGGETT

Nick Huggett, the A&R exec who signed Adele to XL, has rejoined the independent music industry at French-born label Because Music Group as Chief Creative Officer.

The U.K.-based team has also been bolstered by former Warner exec Lisa Rimmer and Laura Kelly, who joins from Ignition Records/Big Brother Recordings.

The appointments arrive after Because acquired the London Records roster from Parlophone, which Kelly will look after as Creative & Marketing Product Manager. In her seven years at Ignition Records/Big Brother Recordings, she worked with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Primal Scream.

Huggett replaces Jane Third, who stepped down as Global Chief Creative Officer last year to join [PIAS]. Huggett started at independent label Mr Bongo, going on to spend several years in London’s alternative dance music scene before being offered an A&R job at Mo Wax, and then XL Recordings.

Since his early days at XL, Huggett has held senior A&R positions at Sony, Universal and Warner, working at Columbia, Island and, most recently, Parlophone. Alongside Adele, he is best known for signing Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, MIA, Jack Penate, Alex Clare, Rizzle Kicks and Jack Garratt.

Rimmer is Director of Sales & Digital Operations, operating across both the Because roster and the London Records back catalogue. She previously spent four years in account management at Warner Music U.K. following eight years at EMI Music.

Emmanuel de Buretel, who founded Because in France, said, “Lisa will strengthen our U.K. sales force significantly with her expertise and we look forward to Laura developing London Records, using her creative and commercial process to breathe life back into some of the incredible albums included in the catalogue.

“Nick will bring a fresh and dynamic approach to A&R for the U.K. label. It's a priority for us this year to grow and develop our U.K. repertoire whilst staying faithful to Because’s spirit. Given his unparalleled track record of finding and developing some of the most creatively and commercially successful artists of the last 10 years, I’m confident Nick will lead the team to great success.”

Huggett added: “In a time where many artists question the role of the record label, it’s very clear that what Because have to offer is very compelling to any new ambitious artist. Having gotten to know Emmanuel over the last few months, he is clearly a passionate music lover and a forward thinking business man; he’s the sort of person I want to roll with."

Because has since enjoyed success with Christine & the Queens, Major Lazer, Little Dragon, Django Django and Metronomy. Caroline International distributes its roster globally.