There is big news coming out of Universal Music Group, affecting a host of senior roles globally, including restructures to the UK organisation, with significant changes to Polydor, UMG International and UMR.
Other labels impacted globally include Interscope Capitol US, Republic US, UMG Ireland and territories including Canada and Europe.
The news comes with UMG having previously announced details of a re-designing of its organisational structure back in 2024, which was said to be in order to generate EUR €250 million (roughly USD $270 million) in annual cost savings.
Sources have confirmed to Music Week that the following moves were announced internally today (October 14). This comes in addition to shock news yesterday that Rebecca Allen would be leaving the company after 27 years to take on a new consultancy role.
A UMG spokesperson has said the following: “Our consistent success has been built on our ability to anticipate industry changes, act early to better serve all our artists and songwriters, and capture opportunities in music's fastest-growing areas. Our industry-leading investment in artist development has always guided that work and will continue to do so. We’re bringing in new skills and technology and connecting expertise across our teams to deliver greater global impact and greater efficiency. Where we have made the difficult decision to remove certain roles, we are deeply grateful for the contributions of the people leaving us.”
Universal's changes follows after Warner Music Group recently unveiled a brand new structure following a host of key appointments and depatures.
You can see a breakdown of the changes below:
CHANGES TO UNIVERSAL MUSIC UK
Ben Mortimer is leaving the company as president of Polydor Label Group. The labels in the group will continue to have dedicated leaders: Jodie Cammidge now becomes acting leader of Polydor Records (pending the appointment of a new label president). Jo Charrington continues as President of Capitol UK. Alec Boateng continues as president 0207 Def Jam.
Nickie Owen is taking on an expanded role as president of Global Marketing at UMG UK.
Hannah Neaves (currently president UMRecordings UK) will take a consultancy role with UMG UK. Sarah Boorman will be taking on a new leadership role at UMRecordings.
Elsewhere across the globe, sources have confirmed the following details.
CHANGES IN NORTH AMERICA
Tom March (CEO) and Lillia Parsa (President) will continue in their current roles leading Capitol Music Group.
Nicole Wyskoarko (President/Head of Urban A&R at IGA) and Sam Riback (President/Head of Pop Rock A&R at IGA) are leaving.
Laura Carter, Ramon Alvarez-Smikle, and Michelle An will take on broader leadership roles at IGA, which will be will announce shortly.
Jeffrey Remedios (currently President & CEO of Republic Collective and previously Chairman & CEO of UMG Canada) and Tyler Arnold (Chairman & CEO, Mercury Records) take on new leadership roles at Republic Records, effective immediately.
Island Records’ Imran Majid and Justin Eshak (co-CEOs of Island) will expand their roles within the East Coast labels with further details to be announced.
Republic’s Jim Roppo has made the decision to leave the company and plans to share further details shortly.
Tunji Balogun has also made the decision to depart by the end of this year and will help support the leadership transition at Def Jam Recordings. Additional details about the new leadership team will be announced soon.
OTHER KEY CHANGES
Ivo Sacchi, who currently oversees to Switzerland and Austria, has decided to leave and Ulf Zick (currently President International Repertoire & Marketing, will take oversight of Switzerland and Austria to his remit).
Mark Crossingham is stepping down as Managing Director of UMG Ireland, and will succeeded by UMG Ireland Nick Younger.
In terms of impact on UMG in Canada, sources say "more than 12 roles were included in the announcement". According to a 2025 company report, the company employs approximately 205 people, in turn representing approximately 6-7% of the label's workforce in Canada.
This is a developing story, more will be added as more information comes to light
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