Warner/Chappell managing director Mike Smith has told Music Week that its “very strong” UK operation is playing its part in the striking growth for the publisher as it posted its strongest set of third quarter figures in nine years.

Smith, who became MD nine months ago, said Warner/Chappell UK has “led the way” in signing urban music songwriters as well as representing the year’s biggest breakthrough artist, Rag’N’Bone Man, who signed with the publisher in 2013.

“I don’t think you ...