Qobuz's new UK-based MD, Ritch Sibthorpe, will support the hi-res audio streaming platform's international growth ambitions, we are told.

This newly created role hands French-headquartered music service a presence in London for the first time. From here, it will oversee markets including the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Australia and New Zealand.

Sibthorpe has a decade of experience specifically in the music industry, driving digital innovation, international marketing and business development. Starting off in music journalism and brand PR he went on to join Warner Music Group as vice president, digital marketing and content partnerships, supporting Atlantic Records, Nonesuch, Rhino, Warner Music UK and Warner Records.

Sibthorpe subsequently became managing director, Disney Music Group EMEA, leading the company's regional recorded music, music publishing and live music businesses, including Disney Music Publishing, Hollywood Records and Walt Disney Records. Most recently, he led global marketing and PR for Chelsea Football Club's digital ventures unit.

When asked what attracted him to joining the audiophile streaming platform, he told StereoNET:

The passion of the Qobuz team and its undiluted focus on the art of music means it can deliver the closest possible digital experience to spending time in your local neighbourhood record store. For discerning music fans, specialist curation offers deep exploration away from the mainstream. Add the world's largest, bit-perfect hi-res audio catalogue, and it's a unique proposition. Ultimately, enabling more choice for artists and fans alike can only be a good thing in my experience.

Taking the opportunity to find out how Qobuz is reacting to other streaming services offering hi-res/ lossless tiers, he told us:

Our focus is on ensuring we offer the best possible experience for Qobuz users, and we're confident we'll continue to do that. Qobuz will always provide the highest possible audio quality, but that is just one element of our promise to ensure discerning musicians have a home that goes beyond mainstream music and chart hits alone.

He also underlined:

Qobuz caters to discerning music fans, who demand many different things. Some want to listen to music in the best quality available, without compromise. To deliver that, we provide music files subjected to the least processing possible, delivering a bit-perfect audio experience that truly reflects the artist and producer's original work. Every cymbal crash rings true, vocals retain their humanity, and each instrument is able to breathe in the mix given the purity of sound on offer. Qobuz will never compromise on the quality of audio we provide because our users can hear the difference.

But we also believe in the power of expert music curation and great music journalism. This is why we invest in original, long-form editorial telling the stories behind great artists, albums, songs and labels.

Sibthorpe joins an ever-growing global Qobuz team, with two new appointees in the following roles: Fabian Sautier as Chief Brand Officer and Pierre Largeas as Managing Director of Southern Europe, both based at the Parisienne HQ.

Fabian Sautier is appointed as Chief Brand Officer of Qobuz. His primary focus, says Qobus, will to spearhead global marketing campaigns: Brand, Digital, Media, PR and Creative. Sautier brings 12 years of international experience in strategic marketing, product development and innovation across multiple consumer industries.

Additionally, Pierre Largeas, who boasts many years working in the international E-Commerce sector, joins as Managing Director of Southern Europe. Largeas will manage commercial and operational activities to support revenue growth in France, Italy, Spain and affiliated markets.

We at StereoNET congratulate Ritch, Fabian and Pierre on their new appointments and look forward to watching Qobuz's continued growth with interest.

Visit Qobuz for more information