Miles Leonard – Former Chairman, Parlophone Records / Warner Music

In this episode, Miles Leonard – a respected record executive, tastemaker, and lifelong music fan – shares rare insight into his years at the helm of Parlophone Records and his close working relationship with Paul Weller during the mid-2010s.

Miles was Director of A&R between April 1995 and May 2003, before stepping up to chairman – a role he held until 2012 when he was made Chairman of Parlophone & Warner Records. He left the role in 2018, to set up his my own company Viva La Music, whilst also working as A&R/Creative executive to Warner Music.

With a career spanning decades and a reputation for championing creative talent (from Kylie to Coldplay, The Beta Band to Dr. John), Miles recounts what drew him to Paul Weller, how he signed him to Parlophone, and the collaborative spirit that shaped three of Paul Weller’s albums: Saturns Pattern, A Kind Revolution, and True Meanings.

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May 2015 – Saturns Pattern

March 2017 – Jawbone (Music from the Film)

May 2017 – A Kind Revolution

Sept 2017 – Mother Ethiopia EP

Sept 2018 – True Meanings

March 2019 – Other Aspects

Signing Paul Weller to Parlophone…

A Creative Champion’s Journey: Miles’ story is rooted in a genuine love for music. Before rising to Chairman of Parlophone, he’d spent years discovering, signing, and supporting a broad array of great artists – always with the philosophy that business success is the byproduct of creative vision, trust, and risk-taking. For Miles, longevity and artistic bravery were more important than chasing fleeting hits.

From Teenage Fan to Industry Ally: A dedicated admirer of The Style Council and Paul Weller’s solo work since his early teens, Miles first connected with Paul around a Dr. John project – a serendipitous call from Weller himself. Years later, aware Weller was between labels after time at Island, Miles moved quickly to meet, putting forward a promise: “Parlophone will support your creative freedom.”

Backing Weller’s Vision: Throughout the partnership, Miles and Parlophone encouraged Weller to follow every creative impulse, whether that was recording a soul-infused album like Saturns Pattern, returning to classic songwriting on A Kind Revolution, or diving fully into folk and orchestral textures with True Meanings. Miles speaks candidly about the importance of supporting artists through both commercial peaks and experimental side projects (like the Jawbone soundtrack or the Mother Ethiopia EP) – recognising that real artistry requires space to take risks.

A Relationship Built on Trust: Weller, famously forthright and loyal, wanted a label that would stick by him, challenge him honestly, but never get in the way of the music. Miles describes the thrill of seeing the classic Parlophone logo on a Weller record, the mutual respect of their conversations, and the honesty required to discuss sales expectations and creative challenges in a fast-changing industry. He reflects on how Weller, even after fifty years, remained absolutely dedicated to progress, refusing nostalgia or comfort for the sake of innovation.

Public, Private, and Personal: Miles’s anecdotes reveal the human side of the partnership, from nights at Bar Italia talking through albums, to low-key pub gigs alongside EMI juggernauts, and the understated pride of supporting other artists across a historic British label. He also recalls standout moments like the Other Aspects live album and seeing Paul continue to confound expectations, building a career on craft, surprise, and constant reinvention.

Legacy and the Parlophone Era: For Miles, signing Weller to Parlophone fulfilled a long-cherished ambition – not just as an executive, but as a fan. He remains proud of the trilogy they made together, and views those years as testament to the power of creative trust – proof that supporting an artist’s vision can yield work that stands among the very best of a storied catalogue.

Dancing Through the Fire

Miles Leonard is one of over 250 contributors to my Sunday Times Bestselling book, Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire, which is available now.
Click on the image below to grab your copy…