Warner Music UK announces series of strategic changes

29 March 2023 - Press release

CEO of Warner Music UK (WMUK), Tony Harlow, today announces a series of strategic changes designed to allow the company to evolve into the future, led by two senior appointments, alongside an innovative collaboration of label resources.

Effective May 9th, industry powerhouse Isabel Garvey – most recently MD of Abbey Road Studios – will take up 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.

As part of the changes, Parlophone Co-Presidents Nick Burgess, Mark 'Mitch' Mitchell, and General Manager Jack Melhuish will exit the label.

In making the announcement, 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 Number One albums last year alone. Under her leadership, Parlophone’s employees will be dedicated to signing and developing the next generation of outstanding talent."

"I'd like to thank Nick and Mitch for an outstanding job at Parlophone," said Harlow. "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," adds Harlow.

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. Within this new structure, Ivory, Kentish and recently appointed Managing Director of Warner Records UK, Alex Burford, can strategically plan and boost both labels as part of the collaborative group, helping them build on recent successes.

Parlophone will maintain independent A&R and marketing functions but will now draw on a centralised team of experts and adopt a shared service approach to the other key functions. These changes will see Ivory report into 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.

“In the modern, rapidly evolving digital business, we're always pushing for the most agile and forward-thinking ways to super-serve our talent. The market is increasingly fragmented, and it takes more expertise to service all channels and to serve them properly. Our artists need more specialists to explore every available opportunity", adds Harlow. "With Parlophone and Warner Records UK coming together and drawing on the expertise of our new centralised coalition, we will harness our collective firepower and lean on a wide range of proficient minds to take the company forward.”

Isabel Garvey has a stellar track record at major labels in senior executive positions, including five years as SVP of Commercial Channels and Consumer Marketing at Warner Music International and, before that, VP of Digital at EMI. She joins WMUK from Abbey Road Studios, where she was appointed Managing Director in 2014. During her tenure she drove the world-famous studio into the future by expanding both the studio footprint and the brand, launching digital production services and establishing Europe's first incubator for music tech innovation, amongst many other achievements.

Garvey says: “I am delighted to be re-joining the Warner Music family at a time when WMUK is positioning itself towards an exciting and innovative future. The industry is more challenging and yet full of opportunity than ever, and I look forward to working with Tony, the dynamic executive team and the brilliant roster of artists to grow the business further.”

Ivory, most recently SVP at Warner Records UK, will immediately assume charge of the entire Parlophone portfolio, overseeing the strategic direction of the label and driving an even stronger focus on marketing and creativity. She steps into her new Parlophone role as the label celebrates strong recent campaigns for Ashnikko, Coldplay, Gabriels, Gorillaz, and Sam Ryder, along with a raft of exciting emerging artists in a wide range of genres.

Jennifer Ivory adds: "Ever since I was young, the Parlophone label, its artists and its records have played such an important role in my life. Growing up I always saw them as the north star of British music culture. I'm honoured to have a part in taking this iconic British label into a successful future. I have built my career on a foundation of great relationships with artists, and I'm pleased that in my new role, I can continue guiding the campaigns of Warner Records artists I've supported, like Biffy Clyro, Foals, Liam Gallagher, Muse and Royal Blood."

The most significant moves in creating the new coalition include the promotion of Claire Coster, who is upped to a centralised Director of Publicity post, overseeing all talent press across WMUK. This reflects Claire's long and successful career at Atlantic Records UK, particularly her critical role in supporting multiple campaigns for Anne-Marie, Charli XCX and Ed Sheeran. Colette Carey, recently promoted to VP Artist Relations, will also head up a centralised Artist Relations team across WMUK.

In addition, Jane Arthy, a trailblazer at Warner Records UK, is promoted to SVP of Promotions, Sebastian Simone will continue his innovative work in Web3 and the metaverse as VP of Community, and Theresa Adebiyi also 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.