Lucian Grainge, who runs Universal Music outside America, says that he can smell when an act will be successful. He can also feel it in his fingertips.

It is hard to argue with the track record of Mr Grainge's nose or fingertips. Under his guidance, Universal Music has won 36 per cent of the British album market this year, thanks to artists such as Amy Winehouse, Mika and Duffy.

It would also take a brave man to argue with Mr Grainge, 48, a stocky North Londoner who is not afraid of taking a direct approach. This year he summoned Ms Winehouse after months of grim headlines. That day she checked into rehab. According to one Universal employee: “Lucian Grainge doesn't care if you like him. He just wants results.” And results he gets. Universal artists won six of the twelve categories at this year's Brit Awards.

The label's continuing domination of the British market comes as its rivals Warner Music and EMI struggle in a tough market.

Universal is not immune to the ever-rising volume of illegal downloads. Mr Grainge has said: “Anecdotally, there are artists who sell five million albums but lose another four million through downloads.”

Mr Grainge left school at 18. The story goes that he walked out of an A-level examination for a meeting that led to his first record deal. In his first job as a talent scout, he spent his lunch hours ringing the chief executives of British record companies looking for work. Typically, they were out wining and dining - but one day Maurice Oberstein, the head of CBS Records, answered the phone. He suggested that his caller come in for a chat. It led to a job offer.

Mr Grainge joined Universal's Polydor in 1993. He has served as deputy chairman of Universal Music UK and is now international chairman and chief executive after relinquishing his role as chairman of UK in March.