Tony van de Berkt Named CEO of Universal Music Netherlands

Universal Music Group (UMG) has appointed Tony van de Berkt as CEO of Universal Music Netherlands. van de Berkt was previously the Founder of 8ball Music, which UMG acquired in March 2025.

The details:

• van de Berkt will report to Frank Briegmann, Chairman & CEO Universal Music Central Europe and Deutsche Grammophon.

• van de Berkt fills the role after Kees van der Hoeven retired from the post in December of last year.

• van de Berkt will lead recorded music operations throughout the Netherlands.

Background:

• van de Berkt has worked in music for over 25 years.

• He founded 8ball in 2006, which had two core labels: the pop-leaning 8ball Music and the Dutch-language label Dino Music.

• Davina Michelle, Maan, Miss Montreal, Flemming, and DI-RECT have released on 8ball.

What they said:

• Briegmann: “Tony has that rare combination of entrepreneurial instinct, A&R vision, and strategic leadership. As the founder of local label 8ball, he proved his ability to align creative excellence with commercial performance while he developed artists, brands, and live concepts with long-term impact.”

• van de Berkt: “I’m honored to have been asked by Frank Briegmann to step into the shoes of my good friend Kees van de Hoeven and succeed him as CEO of this great company. From the first moment I walked into the UMG office in Hilversum, I have been impressed with the skills and mentality of the people working on a wide range of artists and projects. Both our local and international rosters already include so many extraordinary artists, so I’m looking forward to working with our talented team to take everything to the next level.”