AMF label managers Connie Meade and Mike Ajayi have told Music Week they feel “liberated” following last year’s breakthrough success of their first major signing, Loyle Carner.

The label, which they launched three years ago under Virgin EMI ownership, has creative control within Universal Music UK and retains the independent spirit the pair first discovered while working on campaigns for bands including Alt-J at Infectious.

“What appealed to us is keeping that independent ethos,” Ajayi told Music Week. “That close ...