Guy Hands has surprised industry watchers with the appointment of Nick Gatfield as A&R Chief at EMI. Gatfield was previously head of Island records, where he helped to drive Amy Winehouse’s global success. Gatfield has gone in with full guns blazing: “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.’” Given the current climate at EMI, this will be no mean feat, but industry experts believe that Gatfield might have what it takes: “He has got credibility both in the UK and the US,” says Mark Sutherland of Billboard. “I think he will certainly get EMI’s A&R back on track. What EMI really needs is hits in America.“