Guy Hands has unveiled EMI’s new chief talent-spotter with the announcement that Nick Gatfield, former head of Universal’s Island Records, will head up the company’s labels across North America and the UK.

Mr Gatfield, who worked with Amy Winehouse, Mika and Keane at Universal, will become President of A&R (Artist & Repertoire) Labels, North America and UK. His arrival means Roger Ames, who had been holding the fort at EMI, will take up a new non-operational role.

Mr Gatfield will be in charge of developing a new wave of talent to follow Coldplay, Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue to international success. EMI’s share of US album sales tumbled more than 8 per cent last year.

He must also develop new forms of delivering music through digital and mobile channels and smooth some ruffled feathers among artists disconcerted by the Terra Firma takeover.

It is believed that Mr Gatfield quit Universal after the being overlooked for the role of Universal Music UK chairman and chief executive, which fell to David Joseph.

Previously, Mr Gatfield worked in Los Angeles for PolyGram - the then world’s leading music group that was merged into Universal in 1998 - where he became president. He began his business career at EMI Records in the UK.

Guy Hands, executive chairman of EMI, said: "As well as developing some of today’s most popular artists and music around the world, Nick has also demonstrated his talents for embracing and delivering change.

At Universal Island he has led a complete turnaround of the label in both creative and financial terms and built it into the most successful domestic repertoire label in the UK."

Mr Gatfield said: "A&R has always been at the heart of EMI and its labels and the company has an incredibly strong track record in signing and developing some of the most innovative artists in the world. It is also a company that is leading the most ambitious transformation of the music industry.

"My goal is to nurture that culture of creativity and change, working in true partnership with the talented artists and A&R people at EMI. In addition I am extremely excited about EMI’s determination to embrace a new way of working with artists that recognises both the importance of the history of the labels but also the importance of new technologies."

Meanwhile, Mr Joseph announced the promotion of Darcus Beese and Ted Cockle to co-Presidents of the Island Records Group. Mr Beese signed Amy Winehouse in 2003 while Mr Cockle guided Mika to million-selling success.

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