Warner Music UK Announces Realignment
• On the same day that Warner Music Group announced a global reduction of about 270 employees, Tony Harlow, CEO of Warner Music UK (WMUK) also announced a series of strategic changes “designed to allow the company to evolve into the future” — effective May 9, Isabel Garvey, most recently Managing Director of Abbey Road Studios, returns to Warner Music in the newly created post of Chief Operating Officer, Warner Music UK, reporting to Harlow.
There will also be a leadership change at Parlophone Records, with Jennifer Ivory, currently SVP, Warner Records UK, taking over as Managing Director. Concurrently, Parlophone Co-Presidents Nick Burgess and Mark “Mitch” Mitchell, and General Manager Jack Melhuish will exit the label. Pictured, above (l-r): Harlow, Garvey & Ivory.
Harlow said, “This is an exciting new phase for WMUK. Isabel’s appointment signals our constant evolution, bringing her widely admired creativity, innovation and technological entrepreneurship to the service of our artists and their visions. Jen has been with us for over 14 years and has grown into one of the most exceptional and influential voices at WMUK and one of our best marketeers. She supervised four No. 1 albums last year alone. Under her leadership, Parlophone’s employees will be dedicated to signing and developing the next generation of outstanding talent.” Harlow added, “I’d like to thank Nick and Mitch for an outstanding job at Parlophone. They’ve been strong and thoughtful leaders in difficult times and, in partnership with Jack, have had a real impact that has been vital for Parlophone’s growth. We wish them well in their future adventures.”
As part of the changes, Parlophone will join Warner Records UK, Roadrunner, FFRR and Elektra Entertainment in a newly created coalition of labels which will sit under the overall guidance of Warner Records UK President Joe Kentish, alongside recently appointed Managing Director of Warner Records UK, Alex Burford. Parlophone will maintain independent A&R and marketing functions but will now draw on a centralized team of experts and adopt a shared service approach to the other key functions. Ivory will report to both Harlow as well as Kentish — who will also supervise and refocus Parlophone’s A&R team. Ivory will continue to provide some marketing support to Warner Records UK as part of this new collaborative structure at WMUK.
And there’s more: Claire Coster is upped to a centralized Director of Publicity post, overseeing all talent press across WMUK. Colette Carey, recently promoted to VP Artist Relations, will also head up a centralized Artist Relations team across WMUK.
In addition, Jane Arthy is elevated to SVP of Promotions; Sebastian Simone will continue his innovative work in Web3 and the metaverse as VP of Community, and Theresa Adebiyi joins as Creative Director – all three, and their teams, will work across Parlophone and Warner Records UK and strengthen both label offerings, especially in data and emerging digital technologies.
