Warner Music Group has dramatically restructured its UK operations, effectively ending the autonomy of two of Britain’s most prominent record labels. Atlantic Records UK and Warner Records UK, long-standing pillars of the British music industry, will now operate under direct control of their US counterparts as part of a sweeping organizational overhaul announced this week.
The integration places Atlantic Records UK under the authority of US-based Atlantic Music Group CEO Elliot Grainge, while Warner Records UK now reports to US executives Aaron Bay-Schuck and Tom Corson. This notable shift means UK co-presidents Ed Howard and Briony Turner at Atlantic, along with Warner Records UK president Joe Kentish, will now report directly to American leadership rather than to British executives.
Adding to these changes, Tony Harlow, Warner Music UK’s CEO, will depart in October 2025 after nearly six years at the helm. Following Harlow’s exit, Simon Robson, currently EMEA president, will assume leadership of remaining UK operations alongside COO Isabel Garvey, overseeing teams not directly absorbed into US label groups.
The restructuring aligns with Warner Music’s stated goal of “turbocharging” artist development across both markets. By creating closer collaboration between US and UK teams, the company aims to provide British artists with enhanced global resources and accelerate their international visibility.
“This transatlantic partnership will strengthen our ability to break artists worldwide,” noted one company statement. The reorganization seeks to amplify the organic connection between the US and UK operations while maintaining support for distinctive British voices.
Financial considerations also drive the reorganization, as Warner Music works toward achieving $170 million in global salary savings. The elimination of the UK CEO position and reduction of duplicate management layers between territories contribute notably to these cost-cutting measures.
Industry observers note this consolidation represents a profound shift in the British music landscape, where these labels have historically operated with considerable independence. The new structure prioritizes streamlined decision-making and operational efficiency but raises questions about how distinctly British talent development might evolve under increased American oversight.
For artists signed to these labels, the change promises greater international resources but under decidedly American leadership. This restructuring follows a series of previous organizational changes that affected other Warner Music divisions, including ADA and 10K. The integration could potentially impact artists’ ability to establish diverse income streams through traditional label-supported channels. Artists may need to develop stronger social media strategies to maintain their promotional momentum during this transition period.
