#8 Miles Leonard

Miles Leonard started his working life as a plumber. He changed out of his overalls to go for a job interview with Chrysalis Records. Within weeks he’d signed The Verve who went on to become one of the UK’s biggest acts of the nineties.

Miles career also exploded.

He climbed to the top of the A&R ladder at Parlophone, eventually becoming Chairman of the label as well as President of Virgin Records and Chairman of Warner Brothers.

He has been heavily involved in the careers of Kylie Minogue, Tinie Tempah, Coldplay, Gorillaz, Royal Blood, Emeli Sande, Blur, Paul Weller, Stereophonics, Kano, Lily Allen amongst others and has won the Music Week A&R Award twice. 

Phil Harvey (Coldplay Manager) said in an interview with Music Week, 'When in 2024, robots end up replacing humans throughout the music industry, the designers will probably base the prototype on Miles Leonard. Musically catholic with a predilection for funk, strong willed, creative, calm under pressure, fiercely loyal, tough as old boots and more than a little stubborn. Miles has been part of Coldplays inner circle since we signed to Parlophone in 1999 and he is still the man we want to most impress.'

Miles stepped down from his role as Chairman but continues to be an A&R Executive for Warner Music as well as starting up his own A&R/Music Creative Consultancy - Viva La Music – to focus on broader opportunities across this ever growing and multi-faceted industry. 

Miles mentioned the beats bought by Lil Nas X, which he acquired at Beat Stars.

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