Biography

Simon Watt

Vice President Technology
Universal Music Group

Simon Watt is Vice President, Technology, at Universal Music Group International, based in London.  He has been with the company for the past six years, playing a key role in shaping its evolution in the digital age.  He reports to Rob Wells, Senior Vice President, Digital.

Universal Music Group (UMG) is the world's leading music company.  Universal Music Group International is the division that manages UMG's businesses in the world outside North America.

Watt, 40, leads UMGI's technology group, responsible for its overall strategy, including the integration of new business models into the company's systems and their rollout to international markets.

He is also involved in the technological aspects of commercial agreements, and is part of UMGI's negotiating team for these.  Among the companies he works with are Apple, Microsoft, MySpace, Nokia and YouTube.

Prior to joining Universal Music, Simon Watt spent 11 years at electronics firm ARM, latterly as Director of Research.  He is the inventor of proprietary computing and microchip architecture, and has chaired industry working groups, including MPEG21 Intellectual Property Management and Protection. He also has a level 80 Rogue in World of Warcraft.

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