Zeon Richards named head of A&R at Ministry of Sound

Image L-R: David Dollimore [president, RCA UK and Ministry of Sound Recordings], Zeon Richards [head of A&R, Ministry of Sound Recordings], Dipesh Parmar [managing director, Ministry of Sound Recordings]

Sony Music UK today announced that Zeon Richards, one of the industry’s rising executives, has joined Ministry of Sound Recordings as head of A&R.

His appointment is immediate and he will report directly to Dipesh Parmar, MOSR managing director.

Richards, joins Ministry of Sound from Polydor, where he worked for three years as an A&R consultant.

During his tenure he signed acts including Stefflon Don, MC Wretch 32 and Steel Banglez and was influential in signing Ramz, whose hit ‘Barking’ stormed the charts in recent months.

Richards also runs music management company The Renowned Group which includes Wretch 32 who has sold 2 million records with five Top 10 singles; Knox Brown who is signed with Virgin and whose production credits include  Mary J Blige, Jess Glynne and  Paloma Faith; George The Poet (Island Records)  and Melissa Steel whose ‘Kisses For Breakfast’ through Atlantic was a Top 10.

Richards’ strong taste in music and entrepreneurial streak saw him featured in both Music Week’s 30 Under 30 list and Link Up TV’s 31music influencers list

“You need two things to last in this business,” he says.

“You have to be passionate, which means you’re working 24/7 because this is a 24/7 industry.

“Secondly you need to express your opinion. If you think something is crap, say it, because it is hurtful when your artist is dropped from the label.”