27 Facts About Lucian Grainge

Lucian Grainge left Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School for Boys at the age of 18, and began working as a runner at MPC, a talent scout company in 1978.

Lucian Grainge was promoted to managing director of Polydor in 1997.

Lucian Grainge became the chairman of the UK division of the Universal Music Group, and then in 2005 of Universal Music Group International.

Lucian Grainge argued that selling to Universal was the only way to improve EMI, for the benefit of the entire industry.

Lucian Grainge led the 2017 multi-year global license agreement between UMG and Spotify.

Lucian Grainge led the acquisition of Bravado, then part of Sanctuary, and transformed it into UMG's entertainment merchandising and brand management division, Bravado.

Lucian Grainge represents artists including Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Kanye West, and has formed partnerships with retailers including Barneys, Bloomingdale's and Selfridge's.

Lucian Grainge oversaw the expansion of classical labels Deutsche Grammophon and Decca Classics, and agreed a global strategic partnership with entertainment company Live Nation.

In 2017, UMG was worth $22 billion, triple what it was worth when Lucian Grainge took over at the company.

In 2015, Vivendi announced that Lucian Grainge had agreed to extend his tenure as UMG's chairman and CEO until at least 2020, stating he was key to its strategy.

Elliot Lucian Grainge is founder and CEO of independent record label 10K Projects.

In March 2020, Lucian Grainge was admitted to intensive care for a month in Los Angeles after contracting COVID-19, subsequently fully recovering.

In 2008, Lucian Grainge received the Music Industry Trusts' Award, which recognises the world's most successful music executives.

Lucian Grainge was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2010 New Year Honours for services to the creative industries.

Lucian Grainge was knighted in the 2016 Birthday Honours for services to British business and inward investment.

Lucian Grainge was inaugurated to appointment to the Order of the British Empire and Knight Bachelor by Prince William on 29 November 2016.

Lucian Grainge is a trustee of the American Friends of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Lucian Grainge serves on the boards of Lionsgate and Northeastern University.

In 2015, Lucian Grainge was featured in Amy, a documentary film depicting the life and death of British singer Amy Winehouse.

In May 2017, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity announced that Lucian Grainge would be honored as the 2017 Media Person of the Year, the first music executive to receive this honour.

In June 2018, Lucian Grainge was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame with the Howie Richmond Hitmaker award.

At the ceremony, Ariana Grande performed in his honor and Lucian Grainge was inducted by The Weeknd.

Lucian Grainge was awarded an honorary doctorate of music by the Berklee College of Music in May 2016 and an honorary doctorate of global commerce by Northeastern University in May 2017.

In September 2019, Lucian Grainge received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement presented by Awards Council member Peter Gabriel.

Lucian Grainge is the only person to ever hold that distinction more than once and for consecutive years.

In 2013, CNET wrote that "Lucian Grainge is positioning Universal to lead the pack" of major labels in their embracing of new digital opportunities.

In January 2020, Lucian Grainge was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with UMG artists including Beck, Justin Bieber, Birdman, Lewis Capaldi, Tori Kelly, Sam Smith, and Hailee Steinfeld in attendance.