Virgin Music Group has promoted Nicole Thomas to the position of Managing Director of South Africa.
Thomas was previously Co-Country Manager of Virgin Music Group, South Africa. The company is headquartered in Johannesburg.
Elsewhere at Virgin Music South Africa, the company said it has extended its long-term partnership with Gallo Record Company, a prominent South Africa-based record label and music publisher.
This agreement includes Content Connect Africa, one of Africa’s biggest independent content aggregators.
In addition to Thomas’ promotion on Wednesday (December 10), the exec also announced several other promotions within the Virgin Music Group team in South Africa, with Gareth Wilson promoted to General Manager.
Nicola Chadwick has been promoted to Head of Business Affairs & Royalties, while Hlompho Motana has been promoted to Senior Business Development Manager.
Waide Lemos has been upped to Head of Label Operations. Virgin Music Group South Africa is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa.
“Nicole’s deep relationships within the artist and business community make her the perfect executive to continue to lead our growth in South Africa.”
JT Myers, Virgin Music Group
“Nicole has guided our South African business with a focus and energy that has made a real difference for our labels in the region,” said JT Myers, Co-CEO of Virgin Music Group.
“Nicole’s deep relationships within the artist and business community make her the perfect executive to continue to lead our growth in South Africa.”
“I’m grateful to JT Myers and Nat Pastor for putting their faith in me to continue to lead our team in South Africa as we expand our collaboration with South Africa’s music entrepreneurs to develop innovative artists in the region,” said Thomas.
“I’m grateful to JT Myers and Nat Pastor for putting their faith in me to continue to lead our team in South Africa as we expand our collaboration with South Africa’s music entrepreneurs to develop innovative artists in the region.”
Nicole Thomas
Michael Roe, Managing Director of Virgin Music Group Africa, Middle East, and Asia (AMEA), added: “As we continue to work alongside our label clients in the region, Nicole’s knowledge and relationships will continue to play an integral role in our success.
“Over the last two years, under Thomas’ leadership, Virgin has had an exceptionally successful run.”
Nicole Thomas joined Virgin via the independent distributor Electromode, where she served as General Manager. Electromode was acquired by Ingrooves in 2021 and began rebranding as Virgin Music Group in late 2023.
Prior to Electromode, Thomas worked in studio management at CSR Studios, one of Johannesburg’s premier recording facilities, overseeing client relations, marketing and promotions, business development and operations.
In an earlier stint at Electromode, Thomas served as executive assistant to Electromode founder Chris Ghelakis. She began her career in finance for Primedia Music in 2001.
“Over the last two years, under Thomas’ leadership, Virgin has had an exceptionally successful run.”
Michael Roe, Virgin Music Group Africa, Middle East, and Asia
Virgin Music Group noted that its artists in the market have been nominated for and won a number of awards, including South African Music Awards for Dlala Thukzin and Lwah Ndlunkulu, and a cappella group Just 6, who earned a Grammy Nomination (2024) for their rendition of Angels We Have Heard On High.
Dlala Thukzin was nominated for Best International Act at the 2025 BET Awards. Virgin also signed Zimbabwe’s biggest music stars, Saintfloew & Freeman HKD, in addition to newcomer Naledi Aphiwe, who won Best African Pop Song at this year’s Metro FM Awards with her single Romeo & Juliet.
Aphiwe was the youngest recipient of the award in the organization’s 18-year history. Additionally, Virgin signed America’s Got Talent Season 14 finalists Ndlovu Youth Choir and released their re-imagined isiZulu version of Bohemian Rhapsody, backed by Queen’s remaining members and the Freddy Mercury Foundation.
The release was accompanied by a music video earning global coverage from BBC News, The Times & NPR. And finally, Virgin Music Group partners received 13 nominations in total for the Basadi in Music Awards 2025, which celebrate women’s accomplishments in the music industry.
Virgin Music Group noted on Wednesday (December 10) that it has “supported several partners who are at the forefront of the rising popularity” of South Africa’s Lekompo genre. Artists like Shandesh, Kharishma, Janesh and Mvzzle are all described as “hugely influential artists” that are partnered with Virgin Music Group South Africa.Music Business Worldwide