Notting Hill Music Group has opened its new global HQ in Glasgow, following the acquisition of publisher and label 23rd Precinct Music.
The move sees 23rd Precinct founder, Billy Kiltie, join the board of the Notting Hill Music Group to lead a new local team of Scottish executive talent working alongside the established remote-working NHM staff around the world.
The new roster of writers and artists becoming part of Notting Hill includes David Forbes, Robert Hodgens, Twin Atlantic, Levi Heron and Ryan Sewell, along with a catalogue of hits ranging from The Bluebells’ Young At Heart, Purple Disco Machine’s In The Dark, Texas’ Summer Son and Black Eyed Boy, Public Domain’s Operation Blade, Nothing But You by Paul van Dyk with Hemstock & Jennings, Ultrabeat & Scott Brown’s Elysium and Lost Witness’ 7 Colours.
“The decision to purchase and refurbish office premises in Bath Street demonstrates our commitment to Glasgow as our permanent home and the office being on the street where 23rd Precinct Music occupied the eponymous, legendary record store for 20 years is a nod of respect to Billy’s achievement in building that musical legacy in the city,” said a statement.
NHM chairman Andy McQueen said: “As a Scot, I am proud to bring Notting Hill Music to Scotland and aim to establish a world-class platform for Scottish musical and executive talent to build their careers without having to leave the country to fulfil their potential in London, as I and many others felt compelled to do.”
Managing director Dave Loader added: “With two Scottish directors and a long association sponsoring the Resonate Music Conference, Notting Hill Music has a deep history north of the border. Establishing our global HQ in Glasgow is another milestone for our company and an amazing opportunity to work with exciting local talent, enthusiastic new staff and current members of the Scottish music industry.”
“I am so excited to be part of this new era with my friends and partners at Notting Hill Music,” said Billy Kiltie. “Following Notting Hill’s acquisition of 23rd Precinct Music I find myself heading back to our new office in my spiritual home in Bath Street. We have been working over the last few months to recruit a new team of rising, talented staff and, thanks to the backing of the directors at NHM, I am confident we can build a real music powerhouse in Glasgow and throughout Scotland.”
I am proud to bring Notting Hill Music to Scotland and aim to establish a world-class platform for Scottish musical and executive talent
Andy McQueen
Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and creative director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), said: “This is a powerful statement of intent for Scotland’s music industry. The establishment of Notting Hill Music’s global headquarters in Glasgow not only recognises the depth of world-class talent we have here, but crucially strengthens the infrastructure needed to support that talent to build sustainable, long-term careers from and within Scotland.
“At a time when our sector is working to scale both its domestic and international impact, this kind of long-term investment and commitment to Scotland’s music ecosystem is exactly what’s needed. Alongside the strength of our homegrown artists, companies and initiatives, it helps create the conditions for sustainable growth; bringing international networks, expertise and opportunity closer to home. It demonstrates what’s possible when belief in Scotland’s music industry is matched with meaningful action and sets a strong precedent for future growth.”
Gill Maxwell, executive director of the Scottish Music Centre, said “This is a significant moment for our music industry: the establishment of Notting Hill Music’s global HQ not only recognises Glasgow’s position as a world-class hub for music, but will also create new opportunities for artists, songwriters and industry professionals to build sustainable careers from Scotland. By bringing investment and international networks closer to home, this move strengthens the entire ecosystem – supporting talent development, creating new jobs, fostering collaboration and ensuring Scotland’s music continues to thrive and compete on a global stage.”
Long-time 23rd Precinct/Notting Hill Music songwriter Robert Hodgens added: “I signed to Notting Hill because I was introduced to them through Billy Kiltie, who I met at 23rd Precinct, originally a DJ specialist record shop. I had an account there when I was DJing for Big Beat, who owned some of the best clubs in Glasgow, namely the Tunnel and the Volcano, where I worked most nights of the week. I love being on Notting Hill, they are a real song-loving publishing company and I believe their presence in Glasgow will be a major boost to a city where songwriting has really put the city at the absolute forefront of the music industry.”
Notting Hill Music clients The K’s and Those Damn Crows recently scored No.1 albums, while The Molotovs hit No.3 with their debut.
Singles over the last 12 months from The Weeknd, Hugel & David Guetta, AJ Tracey & Jorja Smith and Robbie Williams have also contributed to the company being named as a finalist for Independent Publisher of The Year at the Music Week Awards for the first time in the company’s 36-year history.
PHOTO: Dave Loader (MD, Notting Hill Music) and Billy Kiltie (director, Notting Hill Music)
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‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.musicweek.com ’
