"[6] Leaving school early, Beese worked in a hairdressing salon before eventually being employed in 1993 as a tea boy in the promotions department at Island Records,[7] where he progressed upwards through various jobs,[8] including A&R Director, and in 2008 co-president of the label, until in July 2013 he became president of Island Records.
[9][10] Among his key signings have been Amy Winehouse,[11] Jessie J, Taio Cruz, Florence & The Machine,[12] Mumford & Sons,[12] Dizzee Rascal and Rizzle Kicks.
[2] In May 2018 it was announced by Universal Music Group (UMG) that Beese was to become President of Island Records USA, taking over from David Massey, and relocating to New York City.
"[13] In February 2021 it was announced that Beese was leaving the label and returning to the UK "for personal reasons and to pursue new career opportunities".
[1] It was announced in June 2021 that he would be joining Warner Music UK as executive vice-president and launching a new joint-venture label.