Jamie Nelson has been named the best Adult Contemporary A&R of the past two years by the UK’s prestigious A&R Awards, run by Music Business Worldwide.

Nelson is the London-based BMG executive best known for his 20-year relationship with Kylie Minogue and who is currently working with Louis Tomlinson on the One Direction star’s first solo album for BMG.

A&R – short for artists and repertoire – describes the role of signing and working with artists to help them create records. The A&R Awards are normally an annual event but did not happen last year because of the pandemic, meaning Nelson was voted best A&R in his category for the past 24 months.

“It’s an honor,” he said, “But every A&R is only as good as the artists they work with and I would like to thank our UK roster for making us all look good.”

Nelson oversaw Kylie Minogue’s most successful record in over 10 years, Disco, in which Kylie returned to the dance floor, and also to the top, bagging a UK and Australian Number One album.

Current projects he is working on include Louis Tomlinson, indie pop trio Cassia, and breakout jazz-soul singer Lady Blackbird.

“The Louis album is developing extremely well and I think he is going to surprise a lot of people,” said Nelson. “Meanwhile in Cassia, we have a band which has really flourished despite the lockdown and in Lady Blackbird, I am convinced we have found a unique new voice who will reach a broad audience.”

Alistair Norbury, BMG President Repertoire & Marketing, UK, said, “A&R is one of the toughest and most competitive jobs in music so we are delighted that Jamie has been recognized in this way.”