Neil West is a pioneer in the music and entertainment industry, with decades of experience in digital content, leadership and innovation. During a ten year tenure as Apple’s Head of Music in UK & Europe, Neil was central to the growing iTunes into the world’s biggest music retailer. A popular and dynamic speaker, when hired Neil has a wealth of experience from succeeding in the fast-developing digital market, to managing and building successful teams.
Neil began his career as a journalist working at the media giant Future. He became Editor-in-Chief of MEGA Magazine, and after a brief stint as American Correspondent he launched and was Editor-in-Chief of NEXT Generation Magazine, which was described by “Marketing Week” as “the best games magazine, by far.” He then entered the music industry, becoming the Creative Director at Garageband.com where he led the creative direction and website production of the online music startup. In 2004, Neil became the Music Editor-in-Chief for RealNetworks where he led content for the European launch of the Rhapsody music streaming service.
In 2006, Neil joined Apple as the Head of Music for iTunes UK. Under his leadership, iTunes became the UK’s biggest music retailer and he was key to the launch of the popular iTunes festival. His career at Apple went from strength to strength and in 2012 he took on the role of Head of Music for iTunes Europe where he was part of the team that launched Apple Music. In 2016, Neil became Apple Services Country Manager for Southern and Eastern Europe where he was the general manager of Apple services including Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Books, iTunes, iCloud and Fitness+ for twenty-one countries. Named number four on “The Guardian’s” Music Power 100, Neil has been central to revolutionising how we consume music.
Now a sought-after speaker with decades of unique insights into the digital media industry. An experienced speaker, who’s Tedx Talk “The Beatles, Steve Jobs, and Team Management,” has been viewed over 100,000 times, Neil has a wealth of expertise in team management, leadership, and digital content. If you’re looking for a speaker to motivate and inspire you’re workforce with experience garnered from sixteen years with a global giant like Apple, then get in touch today to hire Neil West.
Neil West's official speaking topics are listed below:
Keep it Simple:
Lessons from Apple. Steve Jobs said ‘Simple can be harder than complex, but once you get there you can move mountains.’ Neil leads an exploration of how Apple succeeds through keeping it simple, and how you and your organisation can do it too.
Leading Customers Through Change:
Lessons from Apple. Apple has grown into the world’s most successful company by convincing billions of customers to embrace change. How do they do it? Neil shares key lessons from Apple to help you bring your customers on a journey of transformation.
Steve Jobs, The Beatles, and Team Management:
Steve Jobs said ‘My model for management is The Beatles.’ Neil spent 16 years building and managing teams at Apple and believes Steve Jobs was right. In this entertaining talk he explores how Apple and The Beatles share best practices all team managers can emulate.
- 2016 – Apple Services Country Manager, Southern & Eastern Europe
- 2012 – Head of Music, iTunes Europe
- 2006 – Head of Music, iTunes UK
- 2004 – Music Editor-in-Chief, Europe at RealNetworks
- 2002 – Freelance Journalist
- 1999 – Creative Director at Garageband.com
- 1998 – Editor in Chief, ARCADE Magazine
- 1994 – Editor in Chief, NEXT Generation Magazine
- 1993 – American Correspondent at Future
- 1992 – Editor in Chief, MEGA Magazine
- 1990 – Staff Writer & Deputy Editor at Future
How to hire Neil West
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Neil West for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
