CRUISING DOWN MELROSE

Veteran British A&R exec/manager Steven Melrose will draw on both of his specialties as the newly named Head of Music U.K. and U.S. for London-based Crown Talent & Media Group. He’ll also bring his own management roster to Crown, whose highest-profile management clients are Ella Henderson and Becky Hill.

“In recent years, Crown has successfully developed a strategy of diversification into a number of areas of the sport and entertainment industry,” said Crown chief Mark Hargreaves. “However, music remains at the very heart of our business, and Melrose’s decision to join Crown will see us consolidate our reputation as leaders in the U.K., as well as drawing upon his vast experience in the U.S. to further develop the presence of Crown America.” Melrose was based in America for 18 years, a chunk of it at Virgin, and was more recently MD of Epic U.K.