Nick Halkes (born Nigel Halkes) is a U.K. based music industry executive known for signing and breaking dance act The Prodigy. He is also a part time lecturer on the music industry at University of Westminster.
Along with XL co-founder Richard Russell, he formed early rave duo Kicks Like a Mule, enjoying chart success in 1992 with their debut single The Bouncer. This track was covered by fledgling new-rave outfit Klaxons in 2006.
Halkes's most recent, major A&R success with the band has been the album "Invaders Must Die" on which he co-wrote the title track.
Halkes was one of the founders of independent record label XL Recordings where he worked with acts such as House of Pain, SL2 and Liquid before taking up a position as a director at EMI and launching the Positiva label. The Positiva label is now home to David Guetta and Deadmau5 amongst others.
Halkes also currently oversees the careers of rising stars Caspa, and Zinc and the acts She Is Danger and Engine-Earz Experiment.