Frank Briegmann. Photo credit: Peter Rigaud

FRANK BRIEGMANN PROMOTED TO CHAIRMAN & CEO OF UNIVERSAL MUSIC EUROPE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, CANADA & DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON

Proven artist champion combining creative leadership, commercial expertise, and a deep commitment to local culture

New structure will increase agility and create bigger impact for local, regional and global stars

October 1 2026, Santa Monica & Berlin: Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music entertainment business, today announced the promotion of Frank Briegmann to Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada & Deutsche Grammophon. This move brings unified leadership to a diverse group of territories, each with its own rich mix of cultures but sharing enormous potential to develop local talent into regional and global stars. Briegmann will continue to report to Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group.

Today, artists have the potential to reach audiences around the world from day one.  Briegmann has a proven track record of helping them realize that potential, working with leaders across territories to build strong local teams, nurture distinctive music cultures, and develop homegrown talent for success at home, regionally, and globally. Throughout his career, he has also opened up new commercial and creative opportunities for artists, including reimagining Deutsche Grammophon for the modern era.

The new structure is designed to create more opportunities for artists across borders by increasing agility and enabling closer collaboration. In a rapidly evolving music ecosystem, Briegmann’s wider remit will help UMG anticipate and embrace change, using technology to amplify expertise, sharpen execution, and bring markets closer together.

Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group said “Frank and I have worked together for more than 20 years, and he’s a fierce artist champion with a proven track record of building long-term careers. He combines creative expertise with business acumen and the insights of data and technology. Just as importantly, he respects what makes every market different and knows how to give great local leaders the freedom and support to succeed. Frank’s promotion is all about the power of possibility; making it easier for artists, ideas, and opportunities to travel across borders.”

Frank Briegmann said “Great artists can emerge anywhere, and today they can find an audience almost everywhere. That makes strong local expertise more important. Our responsibility is to understand and nurture what makes each market dynamic and distinctive, while giving artists the investment, local expertise, and global reach to realize their full potential. I’m grateful to Lucian for his trust and this new opportunity to take on this broader responsibility. Over the years, I have seen what becomes possible when great local teams work closely together across borders. I look forward to building on that experience with this exceptional group of leaders and creating even more opportunities for artists throughout these markets and around the world.”

Briegmann will work closely with the established leadership in each market, including Olivier Nusse who continues as CEO, Universal Music France; Sean Warner who continues as President & CEO, Universal Music Australia & New Zealand; and Julie Adam who continues as President & CEO, Universal Music Canada.

As part of his expanded role, Briegmann will also work with UMG’s leadership in Europe, including the U.K. and Iberia, to create stronger connections across markets through technology, data and commerce.

Spain will continue to be led by Luis Fernández, President, Universal Music Spain, and Portugal will continue to be led by Ana Hernandez, Managing Director, Portugal, both reporting to Jesus Lopez.

The United Kingdom will continue to be led by Dickon Stainer, Chairman & CEO, UK, reporting to Sir Lucian Grainge.

Frank Briegmann

The appointment marks the latest step in Briegmann’s more than three-decade career in the music industry and expands his international responsibilities.

Briegmann joined Universal Music in 2004 as CEO of its German business, becoming the youngest executive ever to lead a major music company in Germany. His responsibilities have since expanded across Central, Northern and Eastern Europe, alongside his global leadership of Deutsche Grammophon.

Throughout his career, Briegmann has championed local talent and distinctive music cultures, investing in artists and repertoire while helping them reach audiences far beyond their home markets. He has driven digital transformation and built new areas of business, combining strong local expertise with UMG’s global reach. At Deutsche Grammophon, he has applied the same approach, combining the stewardship of the world’s most renowned classical label with innovation in formats and audience development.

Briegmann is a board member of the Federal Association of the Music Industry. He also serves on Deutsche Bank’s Eastern Regional Advisory Board, as well as on the boards of trustees of the renowned C/O Berlin Foundation and the German Sports Aid Foundation (Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe).

About Universal Music Group

At Universal Music Group, we exist to shape culture through the power of artistry. UMG is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content. Featuring the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms, and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. For more information, visit www.universalmusic.com

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