Bella Figura Co-Founder and Former BMG UK President Alexi Cory-Smith Dies at 58

Alexi Cory‑Smith, the co‑founder and chief executive of London‑based catalog company Bella Figura Music, died suddenly on 3 July 2026 at the age of 58. The loss was announced by Bella Figura on social media and was followed by tributes from former employer BMG and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

Bella Figura was launched in 2022 by Cory‑Smith and long‑time associate Neelesh Prabhu after she left her role as president of BMG UK. The company has positioned itself as a boutique buyer of music publishing and recording rights, targeting high‑profile catalogues and managing them for long‑term value. Within its first year, Bella Figura secured the RAK Publishing catalogue, acquired publishing rights from Human League co‑founder Adrian Wright, and added the works of David Gray and Guy Chambers to its portfolio. In 2025 the firm announced a global administration agreement with Sony Music Publishing to expand its reach in the United States.

Cory‑Smith’s career began at IRS Records, after which she retrained as a lawyer. She later advised the pop group One Direction in a legal capacity. In 2011 she joined BMG as senior vice‑president of repertoire and marketing, and in 2012 was promoted to president of BMG UK. During her seven‑year tenure the company grew its recording and publishing businesses and completed acquisitions such as Ram Records and the BBC Worldwide music catalogue.

In a 2023 interview with Music Week, Cory‑Smith described Bella Figura’s business model as a “Ferrari garage” – a high‑net‑worth, boutique operation that provides specialised mechanics for high‑performance artists. The company also focuses on cleaning and managing metadata to maximise the value of its catalogues for clients.

The statement released by Bella Figura on 3 July said: “We are devastated to announce the sudden and unexpected passing of our co‑founder and CEO, Alexi Cory‑Smith. Alexi built Bella Figura Music from the ground up, bringing the vision and passion from a successful career in the music industry. Her leadership, creativity, and unwavering commitment to our team and our work leaves a lasting legacy.” The company added that it would share further updates when possible.

BMG posted a brief message on social media: “RIP Alexi. Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this difficult time.”

BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE expressed her condolences: “We are profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of Alexi Cory‑Smith. She made a highly valued contribution as a leading figure in our music industry, including as BPI Council member when representing BMG, and we extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues on their great loss.”

Cory‑Smith’s influence extended beyond catalog acquisition. She was known for her commitment to artist integrity and for advocating for better metadata practices in the publishing sector. Her leadership at BMG UK was credited with driving significant growth and with positioning the company as a key player in the UK music market.

The music industry has seen a surge in catalog buying activity in recent years, with firms seeking long‑term revenue streams from established hits. Bella Figura’s strategy of acquiring high‑profile catalogues and partnering with major publishers such as Sony reflects this trend. The company’s focus on metadata cleaning aligns with broader industry efforts to improve rights management and royalty distribution.

Cory‑Smith’s death has prompted reflections on her legacy. Her early career as a lawyer and her work with One Direction demonstrate her versatility, while her tenure at BMG UK and the founding of Bella Figura illustrate her entrepreneurial drive. She was also a BPI Council member, indicating her influence on policy and industry standards.

At present, Bella Figura has not announced any immediate changes to its leadership structure. The company’s statement indicated that it would honor Cory‑Smith’s vision and continue to support its team.

The music community continues to mourn the loss of a prominent industry leader whose career spanned legal practice, label management, and catalog ownership. Her contributions to catalog acquisition, metadata management, and artist advocacy remain part of the evolving landscape of music publishing and rights management.