Isabel Garvey is leaving her function as Chief Working Officer of London-based Warner Music UK.
In a word despatched to Warner Music UK employees on Wednesday morning (October 8), and obtained by MBW, Garvey confirmed that she has determined “to step down from [the] function and go away the corporate on the finish of December”.
Added Garvey: “I’m excited by the prospect of taking over new challenges and imagine that that is the best resolution for me and for the corporate”.
Garvey joined WMUK as COO in 2023 and was beforehand MD of London’s legendary Abbey Street Studios.
Garvey’s resolution to face down from her present function on the finish of the 12 months follows the information that Warner’s flagship Atlantic and Warner Data UK labels will likely be working extra intently with their US counterparts, with UK label heads now reporting to US management.
Warner Music UK’s different groups, together with the shared companies that help each labels, will likely be overseen straight by Simon Robson, President, EMEA, Recorded Music, WMG.
Garvey defined within the inside memo issued on Wednesday that “and not using a COO function, and our label heads becoming a member of the worldwide administration groups of Atlantic and Warner Data, the central capabilities will all be led by Simon, making certain the brand new construction is straightforward and the strains of accountability are clear”.
The adjustments to WMUK’s operations adopted the information that Tony Harlow is leaving his function as CEO of Warner Music UK on the finish of October.
In a separate word despatched to workers on Wednesday, and obtained by MBW, Simon Robson thanked Garvey “for her great contribution to our enterprise within the UK over latest years”.
“Isabel formed our strategy and tradition at a time of seismic change within the trade, and Warner Music has benefited enormously from her strategic considering and contemporary perspective.”
Simon Robson
Added Robson: “Isabel formed our strategy and tradition at a time of seismic change within the trade, and Warner Music has benefited enormously from her strategic considering and contemporary perspective. Please be a part of me in thanking Isabel for her invaluable and ongoing contribution.”
Garvey joined WMUK from Abbey Street Studios, the place she was appointed Managing Director in 2014.
Elsewhere in her memo to UK staffers on Wednesday, Garvey famous: “I’ve actually loved being a part of this stellar group. Via a interval of serious change, I’ve been so impressed by your resilience and flexibility, and I’m pleased with what we’ve achieved collectively.”
“I’ve actually loved being a part of this stellar group. Via a interval of serious change, I’ve been so impressed by your resilience and flexibility, and I’m pleased with what we’ve achieved collectively.”
Isabel Garvey
Added Garvey: “During the last three years, we’ve delivered extra subtle and strategic approaches to constructing artist careers and types, backed by deeper shopper perception and smarter, quicker decision-making.”
“This has helped us drive historic outcomes for WMUK after touchdown a 70% share of the High 10 singles chart earlier this 12 months. And we’ve launched culture-defining, chart-topping data within the UK with the likes of Alex Warren, BensonBoone, Charlixcx, EdSheeran, Sombr, and TeddySwims.
“We’ve primed Rhino UK for future development with a brand new outlook and technique, connecting our iconic catalogue with a youthful viewers like by no means earlier than. Collectively, we now have navigated a troublesome market and punched effectively above our weight.
“All through my profession, whether or not main corporations like Warner Music and Abbey Street Studios or constructing my very own enterprise, I’ve at all times cherished being on the intersection of creativity and commerce. That’s the place probably the most impactful innovation occurs. And it’s why, nonetheless difficult the media panorama is true now, I’m so excited in regards to the future for everybody at WMUK and for myself as I stay up for creating a long-lasting affect in my subsequent chapter.”
