Just two months after poaching Zane Lowe from BBC Radio 1, Apple has pinched four senior producers from the UK station - including key talent from BBC Introducing. One of the individuals is believed to be Zane's old producer, James Bursey.

Zane LoweZane Lowe's superstar producer James Bursey is joining him in Los Angeles

Bursey is understood to have left the BBC on Friday and will re-join Lowe in Los Angeles shortly. Three more producers from the corporation will join the pair at Apple, though will be based in the company's London office. 

Names rumoured to be on Apple's wish-list included Natasha Lynch and Kieran Yeates - both considered high quality producers at Radio 1. Lynch oversaw the Huw Stephens show and was named on The Guardians Music Power 100 in 2011.

More: Zane Lowe on why he's swapping Radio 1 for Apple

Yeates is the executive responsible for Radio 1's up-and-coming talent programme, BBC Introducing.

"There 's no denying that there's something of an exodus to Apple from Radio 1 right now," a well-placed BBC source told Music Business Worldwide.

"With four producers joining Apple, that hiring of Zane all-of-a-sudden makes much more sense, doesn't it?"

In a statement, the BBC held firm, saying: "Radio 1 is respected worldwide for making great programmes and is vital to the record industry for choosing the best new music and artists.

"We are proud to have a proven record of discovering and developing staff that are seen as the best in the business."

Meanwhile, James Foley, the respected head of editorial Deezer, is leaving to join Spotify.

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