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Universal Music confirms new President for its Australian business
By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 13 December 2022
Universal Music has appointed a new President for its business in Australia and New Zealand following the news yesterday that the incumbent boss for the region, George Ash, is standing down.
The new President for UMG Australia and New Zealand, taking over on 1 Jan, is Sean Warner, who has had various roles at the major since joining as a National Sales Manager in 2007, most recently SVP of Commercial.
In a statement announcing the promotion, Universal said its incoming President had “led the company’s commercial business over the past fifteen years, from physical sales to the streaming era, in addition to overseeing the commercial strategy in Southeast Asia, launching Bravado’s merchandise and licensing operations in the Australia and New Zealand region, and developing UMA’s e-commerce business”.
Prior to beginning his long stint at Universal, Warner worked in various other roles across the media and entertainment sectors in Australia, including at TV business Foxtel, and the gaming companies of BMG and Sony. Although, alas, never a Warner entertainment company.
Confirming his new job, Warner says: “It is an honour and a privilege to take on this role as President of Universal Music Australia and New Zealand. As the region’s leading music company, we will continue to innovate and evolve our businesses, and support our artists and labels as they deliver the very best music and culture to fans”.
Overall Universal boss man Lucian Grainge adds: “Sean’s deep understanding of the Australian market combined with his operational experience and the respect he has earned from his UMG colleagues and artists – both domestic and international – makes him the ideal executive to take on the role of President. I’m confident he will expand our track record of creative and commercial success in a market that so culturally important”.
An earlier statement from Universal said that Ash’s departure from the major was “a long-planned personal decision to focus on new goals and projects, whilst leaving the company under the leadership of a new generation of executives, who will continue to build on the legacy of creative and commercial success that has flourished during his tenure”.
Ash himself said of his exit: “Having been with the company for nearly three decades, the time feels right. I am so confident in, and proud of, the brilliant leadership team we have in place, as well as the positive changes we have made in the past couple of years, and I am excited to see the company, staff, labels, and artists continue to grow and thrive in the years ahead”.
When the Australian division of Sony Music imploded last year following the sudden departure of long-serving CEO Denis Handlin and wide-ranging reports about the toxic corporate culture he had overseen, some criticisms were also made about working practices at UMG Australia as well.
At the time Ash said he was “heartbroken” about the allegations of bad practice, telling the Sydney Morning Herald: “My initial response was ‘I don’t know whether the allegations are true or not’, but it made me think we haven’t done enough and we need to do more in our company. I need to step up and take responsibility”.
An independent investigation into the allegations was instigated, with Ash telling staff in a memo: “As the leader of this company I take full responsibility for creating a respectful workplace culture for everyone”.
