Universal Music Publishing (UMPG), a leading global music publishing company, today announced that producer and songwriter James Ford has been signed to an exclusive, global administration agreement. 

Throughout his 20-year career, Ford - a multi-instrumentalist producer, songwriter and composer - has worked with some of the biggest names in music, from Arctic Monkeys to Depeche Mode via Foals, Florence and The Machine, Haim, Gorillaz and Jessie Ware. He has toured globally as Simian Mobile Disco and with The Last Shadow Puppets, amongst others.

In 2023, Ford launched his own artist project with critically-acclaimed debut solo release ‘The Hum,’ alongside producing albums for the likes of Blur, Pet Shop Boys, Fontaines D.C., The Last Dinner Party and Beth Gibbons (both of which were shortlisted for the Mercury Prize), further cementing his reputation as one of the world’s most sought-after producers and writers. 

Ford said: “I’m very excited to be joining the UMPG family, looking forward to collaborating with their roster of talented artists and writers and seeing more of Pete Simmons’ extensive collection of shorts.”

Pete Simmons, Head of A&R, UMPG UK said: “It’s not every day you get the opportunity to work with somebody as influential as James. He has been involved in quite literally all of my favourite records over the past 15 years or so. From Gorillaz to the Arctic Monkeys, Florence and The Machine, all the way back to Simian Mobile Disco - one of the first things I ever ‘discovered’ as a teenager. I look forward to seeing what our creative ideas – and my collection of shorts - can add to his career.”