


Julian Palmer
Julian Palmer Joins UMPG UK as Senior Director, A&R and Catalog
Former Columbia Records executive Julian Palmer appointed Senior Director at UMPG UK, bridging core and catalog.
Former Columbia Records exec Julian Palmer has been appointed Senior Director, A&R and Catalog at Universal Music Publishing Group UK (UMPG UK).
The role:
- As per Music Business Worldwide, UMPG says Palmer will “act as a bridge between the core and catalog roster.”
Work history:
- Palmer previously spent 12 years at Columbia Records, working with artists such as Rag’n’Bone Man, Katy B and Snakehips.
- He’s also worked with artists like Run DMC, Tricky, Stereo MCs and Paul Weller across stints at Island Records, CBS Records and Virgin Records America.
What they said:
- Palmer: “I’m honored to be joining UMPG, and an A&R team that [Head of A&R] Pete Simmons has built with an abundance of elite experience and vibrant youthfulness – and even more so now under David Gray [Managing Director, UK] with his understanding, love and knowledge of British music.”
Former Columbia Records exec Julian Palmer has been appointed Senior Director, A&R and Catalog at Universal Music Publishing Group UK (UMPG UK).
The role:
- As per Music Business Worldwide, UMPG says Palmer will “act as a bridge between the core and catalog roster.”
Work history:
- Palmer previously spent 12 years at Columbia Records, working with artists such as Rag’n’Bone Man, Katy B and Snakehips.
- He’s also worked with artists like Run DMC, Tricky, Stereo MCs and Paul Weller across stints at Island Records, CBS Records and Virgin Records America.
What they said:
- Palmer: “I’m honored to be joining UMPG, and an A&R team that [Head of A&R] Pete Simmons has built with an abundance of elite experience and vibrant youthfulness – and even more so now under David Gray [Managing Director, UK] with his understanding, love and knowledge of British music.”
Former Columbia Records exec Julian Palmer has been appointed Senior Director, A&R and Catalog at Universal Music Publishing Group UK (UMPG UK).
The role:
- As per Music Business Worldwide, UMPG says Palmer will “act as a bridge between the core and catalog roster.”
Work history:
- Palmer previously spent 12 years at Columbia Records, working with artists such as Rag’n’Bone Man, Katy B and Snakehips.
- He’s also worked with artists like Run DMC, Tricky, Stereo MCs and Paul Weller across stints at Island Records, CBS Records and Virgin Records America.
What they said:
- Palmer: “I’m honored to be joining UMPG, and an A&R team that [Head of A&R] Pete Simmons has built with an abundance of elite experience and vibrant youthfulness – and even more so now under David Gray [Managing Director, UK] with his understanding, love and knowledge of British music.”
Julian Palmer
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) UK
Columbia Records
Rag'n'Bone Man
Katy B
Snakehips
Run DMC
Tricky
Stereo MCs
Paul Weller
Island Records
CBS Records
Virgin Records America
Industry Personnel Changes
Executive Leadership Changes
Global Publishing Expansion
Major Labels
United States
Executive Appointments
Record Labels
United Kingdom
London, GB
Music Publishing
👋 Disclosures & Transparency Block
- This story was written with information sourced from Music Business Worldwide.
- We covered it because it represents a significant staffing appointment at a major music publishing company.
📨 Subscribe to NIF
Get news dropped in your inbox 👇
📨 Subscribe to NIF
Get news dropped in your inbox 👇
Related Articles

Careers & People
Sep 5, 2025
1 min read
Jordi Tello Named MD of Sony Music Publishing Iberia
The appointment follows the retirement of Juan Ignacio Alonso

Careers & People
Sep 5, 2025
1 min read
Big Machine Label Group Expands International Team
It will helm the label’s efforts across the UK, Australia and more

Careers & People
Sep 4, 2025
1 min read
Virgin Music Group Southeast Asia Appoints Cindy Gu as General Manager
Gu was previously Managing Director of Fabled Records

Jordi Tello Named MD of Sony Music Publishing Iberia
The appointment follows the retirement of Juan Ignacio Alonso

Rod Yates
Careers
Sep 5, 2025

Big Machine Label Group Expands International Team
It will helm the label’s efforts across the UK, Australia and more

Rod Yates
Careers
Sep 5, 2025

Virgin Music Group Southeast Asia Appoints Cindy Gu as General Manager
Gu was previously Managing Director of Fabled Records

Harry Levin
Careers
Sep 4, 2025

James Moodie Tapped as MD of Distiller Music Group
Formerly of The Orchard, the appointment is effective immediately

Rod Yates
Careers
Sep 4, 2025

Warner Music Group Announces New Leadership to Support UK-US Collaboration
The partnership will center on flagship labels Atlantic Records and Warner Music

Harry Levin
Careers
Sep 3, 2025

Christopher Södergren Joins Sony Music in New D2C Role
The exec will focus on the company’s direct-to-consumer strategies

Rod Yates
Careers
Sep 3, 2025