From shifts at the top of the major companies to big debates about AI, remuneration and the independent sector, it has been an incredibly busy 12 months. And that's before you even consider Oasis' comeback, global breakthroughs and the return of Taylor Swift, as well as a bonanza year for live music. Here, we quiz a host of industry figures about how they saw 2025, including Dickon Stainer, Simon Robson, Emma Banks, Lorna Clarke and Amy Wheatley...
DICKON STAINER
Universal Music Group UK
What is your main takeaway about the music industry at the end of 2025?
“I have always had a deep belief in the power of British music to connect internationally, and it has been inspiring to see British artists like Olivia Dean and Lola Young breaking through this year.”
Can you tell us your track of 2025?
“Sam Fender – Remember My Name. The strength and emotional impact of the lyrics, combined with the uniquely moving sound of the colliery band, gives this song a special and enduring quality.”
And your favourite album?
“Well, I probably have to go for Sam Fender again and say his Mercury Prize-winning album, People Watching. It’s such a brilliant album. It’s so authentic.”
SIMON ROBSON
Warner Music Group
How do you view Warner’s role in terms of nurturing the next wave of British music acts?
“Nurturing the next generation is something we’ve always been passionate about, but now more than ever, and as it becomes increasingly more difficult to do so, we’re dedicated to helping UK acts succeed domestically and globally. At Warner Music, we’ve made bold decisions, like aligning our UK and US labels more closely, to give our artists the best chance to break globally. We need to constantly look at different opportunities for our acts such as, where appropriate, working international territories first and then exporting back into the UK to help break through.”
What excites you most about Warner’s new structure from a UK perspective?
“What excited me most, and what was one of the main reasons for implementing our new structure, is the opportunities UK acts will have to break globally right from the off. For UK artists to succeed, they need a global gateway – and our new structure will allow them earlier and greater sponsorship and support from our US labels, which will only improve their reach. I’m excited to see our UK artists benefit from our new way of working.”
Can you name your favourite track and album of 2025?
“Teddy Swims, David Guetta & Tones And I’s Gone Gone Gone. Teddy’s vocals are just incredible, and David Guetta proves just how good he is as an artist and producer by showing a different side. Sombr’s I Barely Know Her is my favourite album. It’s great to see that even in today’s music marketplace, incredible talent can still explode onto the scene. Sombr is a breath of fresh air – and an example of how great talent and a clear artist proposition can break through quickly.”
EMMA BANKS
CAA
CAA won at the Music Week Awards this year – how will you defend your crown?
“What is important to everyone at CAA is the quality of work we do for our clients across all aspects of their career. We will continue to work harder, smarter and more diligently than anyone else, and that is the best way to defend our crown.”
Can you sum up the year for touring acts?
“It’s been a strong year, with so many breakthrough artists hitting new heights. I’m thrilled festivals are extending opportunities to less established artists to sit atop their bills, and with huge success.”
What was your track and album of 2025?
“I have become a sucker for a TikTok dance, so I am going to pick The Fate Of Ophelia by Taylor Swift and The Dead Dance by Lady Gaga. My favourite album was Lily Allen’s West End Girl – it blew my mind.”
LORNA CLARKE
BBC
How did the BBC work most effectively with the UK music industry in 2025?
“The BBC and the industry continue to work in partnership, whether that’s on a daily basis in radio, or on one of the BBC’s live music events. It’s important to take our programming [on the road] and cover events in locations around the UK, including this year’s 6 Music Festival in Manchester, Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Liverpool, Radio 2 In The Park in Chelmsford, Glastonbury, C2C in London, Glasgow and Belfast, Reading & Leeds, and the Mercury Prize in Newcastle. I’m proud we have such a diverse stable of live music programming, which shines a light on burgeoning talent, as well as much-loved global superstars.”
Can you sum up the year in music in one word, and tell us why you chose it?
“It’s got to be ‘British’ as we’ve had so much fantastic new music from UK artists, including huge albums from Dave, Little Simz and Lily Allen. Watching Ezra Collective at the 6 Music Festival in Manchester felt like a real moment, and to see the crowd’s reaction to Ed Sheeran’s secret appearance at Radio 1’s Big Weekend was very special. They’re two artists the BBC has supported since day one, and it’s lovely to witness their success. It’s also been a great year for classical. The Proms reached its largest ever digital audience: 12 million on TV and over 7m streams to content on iPlayer and Sounds, and nearly 40m global views on social media, setting new records.”
What was your favourite track and album of 2025?
“Jade’s Angel Of My Dreams, and Olivia Dean’s The Art Of Loving is a joyous mix of pop, jazz and soul.”
AMY WHEATLEY
Columbia Records UK
What are your memories of winning Businesswoman Of The Year at the Women In Music Awards?
“It was such a great evening, the room was filled with support. The outpouring of love from people afterwards was incredible, too.”
Skye Newman presented you with the award – what does she represent in terms of the breaking talent on Columbia UK?
“Developing new talent has been our focus since we joined Columbia. Creating the new legacy of Columbia is not something Dipesh [Parmar, president] and I take lightly, and Skye, Aaron Rowe and Chloe Qisha are at the forefront of that wave.”
What was your track and album of 2025?
“Yukon by Justin Bieber – there is something about it that gets under your skin and in your head! My favourite album was Jim Legxacy’s Black British Music (2025).”
