There is big news emerging from Warner Music UK.
Tony Harlow has announced he will be stepping down from his position as CEO of Warner Music UK at the end of October.
In a statement issued on September 2 to Warner Music UK staff obtained by Music Week, Harlow said:
"Friends, today, I have a bittersweet announcement to make. I’ve had a lot of luck in my career so far. Six years ago that luck culminated in the opportunity to lead a company I love, full of artists that I care about, back in the country where I was born. I’m sad therefore to announce my decision to step down from my role as CEO of Warner Music UK at the end of October."
Citing his reasons, Harlow said: "I want to be clear, I’m only making this announcement now after thinking long and hard about our team and what needs done for the UK to lead the world again. I’ve realised that my departure would create new long-term opportunities and space for our amazing senior management team to continue to grow as individuals and as leaders."
I want to be clear, I’m only making this announcement now after thinking long and hard about our team and what needs done for the UK to lead the world again
Tony Harlow
In a message from Robert Kyncl, also obtained by Music Week, the CEO of Warner Music Group thanked Harlow for his contribution to the major.
"Tony’s impact over his 15 years at Warner Music Group has been immense. In three very different roles…CEO of Warner Music UK, President of WEA, and MD for WM Australasia…he has delivered fantastic results. Throughout, his passion for artists, belief in our teams, and determination to innovate have been the hallmarks of his approach."
Kyncl continued: "I’ve heard from others about Tony’s first years at WMG – how he helped new artists break globally out of Australia, and how he evolved the way we work while running WEA (now WMX). I met him in his latest post, after he had become CEO in the UK, and it was immediately clear that he was pouring all his decades of knowledge and experience into this one role and fulfilling a career ambition.
"Over the last six years, we’ve benefited hugely from the full range of his capabilities: from developing a new generation of British talent…to finding new audiences for global supertars…from skillfully providing evidence before the Parliamentary inquiry on streaming…to encouraging young people from across the UK to seek a career in the music industry with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and others. We’ll miss his intellectual curiosity, independent spirit, and encyclopaedic love of music.
"Tony is announcing his decision now, when it helps provide new possibilities for the talented leadership team he’s mentored. He’s successfully positioned the company for long-term success, and I deeply appreciate his commitment to seeing through the transition as we navigate ongoing change."
Harlow was first appointed to the top of Warner Music UK in 2019, having held senior roles at Warner Music, Universal, EMI and V2. Like plenty of industry execs, he started out in music retail in the Beggars Banquet chain. Harlow went on to work with the band at V2, the indie launched by Richard Branson.
Simon Robson and I will have more to share on our plans for the UK this week... In the meantime, on behalf of everyone at the company, I thank Tony for his extraordinary contributions, and wish him the absolute best
Robert Kyncl
In his memo, Harlow reflected on some of the highlights of his time at Warner.
"In considering this decision, I’ve probably delayed through thinking about what an honour it has been to lead this UK company. To work daily with the people who sign and develop talent like Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Fred Again.., Charli XCX and Coldplay," he wrote. "To come to work daily in a place where people love what they do. To meet and work with artists who have made musical history – from Robert Plant to Liam Gallagher, Cliff Richard to Spandau Ballet. Their stories alone make it worthwhile. But most of all to get to know you all and be part of our culture."
He also shared "fundamentals that have guided our leadership team and which I hope you will continue to draw strength from, as it’s your collective determination that has made our success possible." You can read them in full below.
The ket question now is, of course: what comes next? To that end, a note by Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music Group, stated:
"Simon Robson and I will have more to share on our plans for the UK this week," he said. "But in the meantime, on behalf of everyone at the company, I thank Tony for his extraordinary contributions, and wish him the absolute best."
In August last year, the major unveiled a dynamic new structure for its recorded music operations, with Max Lousada – the highly-respected CEO, recorded music – electing to step down at the end of the fiscal year (September 30). As a result, Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) was to be overseen by seasoned exec Simon Robson. The UK & Ireland group were now part of European operations.
Earlier this year, meanwhile, Warner Music Group is set to reduce annual costs by a further $300 million. This July, the “remaining steps” in the transformation of the major were announced to staff in a memo by Robert Kyncl. As part of this, Warner Music will reduce annual costs by around $300 million to reinvest in the business: $170 million through headcount reductions and around $130 million in administrative and property expenses. Many changes will be implemented in the next three months, with the remainder in fiscal 2026.
You can read extracts from Harlow's memo below:
Friends,
Today, I have a bittersweet announcement to make.
I’ve had a lot of luck in my career so far. Six years ago that luck culminated in the opportunity to lead a company I love, full of artists that I care about, back in the country where I was born.
I’m sad therefore to announce my decision to step down from my role as CEO of Warner Music UK at the end of October.
I want to be clear, I’m only making this announcement now after thinking long and hard about our team and what needs done for the UK to lead the world again. I’ve realised that my departure would create new long-term opportunities and space for our amazing senior management team to continue to grow as individuals and as leaders.
In considering this decision, I’ve probably delayed through thinking about what an honour it has been to lead this UK company. To work daily with the people who sign and develop talent like Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Fred again.., Charli XCX and Coldplay. To come to work daily in a place where people love what they do. To meet and work with artists who have made musical history – from Robert Plant to Liam Gallagher, Cliff Richard to Spandau Ballet. Their stories alone make it worthwhile. But most of all to get to know you all and be part of our culture.
I wanted to share fundamentals that have guided our leadership team and which I hope you will continue to draw strength from, as it’s your collective determination that has made our success possible.
Our belief in UK talent as the best in the world is unwavering...UK music represents the best of our country, in its ability to mix and match, and bring cultures together. We’ve seen it so clearly in the high of Brat Summer last year, or the optimism of the Oasis reunion this year. Throughout my career I’ve been lucky enough to be on the front lines as British talent has driven global conversation - whether it be Punk and Post Punk, New Romantics, Two Tone, Grime, Trip Hop, Lovers Rock, Dance Music or BritPop. This country has pulled strands together to make something special and I believe firmly that creativity will rise again.
Our teamwork that delivers for artists no matter what - Artists sign to big record companies because they want their creativity to reach the world. And I believe there are three things that entice them to Warner Music - our commitment to stop at nothing to develop them; our expertise drawn from working with multiple artists across multiple partners in the market; and our global network of people who care.
Whatever we’re dealing with, you guys always inspire and support each other, and it’s been a beautiful thing to see and be part of. Everyone can have access to a lot of numbers and data, it's how to use them that matters - and that's where you have all made so much difference.
Our commitment to having a bigger impact - This business is truly democratic - our music speaks to everyone, everywhere. So, for our company to succeed, it needs to reflect that, and I’m proud of all our UK efforts to engage with social changes sweeping the world.
I’ve also been amazed by people’s willingness to support good causes and most notably to get around the country with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Generator, The Ultimate Seminar and other partners to let young people know the music business isn't a closed shop.
I’ve been lucky enough to follow my passion for finding new music, and had the related benefit of working with some of the most creative people in the world and watching them craft masterpieces that change people’s lives. Work that brings happiness and solace, excitement and meaning all at once.
I have had the habit of signing off, Venceremos (Together WE will win!). My Spanish is too poor to change that to “Together YOU will win!”, but I truly mean that. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will miss you.
T
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