Christian Tattersfield to Step Down as CEO of Warner Music UK in February 2014

Lousada becomes Co-CEO alongside Tattersfield with immediate effect

Miles Leonard to helm Warner Bros. Records UK

Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG) today announced that Christian Tattersfield has decided to step down from his role as CEO, Warner Music UK and Co-Chairman, Warner Bros. Records UK in February 2014. Max Lousada will assume the position of CEO, Warner Music UK thereafter. Lousada and Tattersfield become Co-CEO’s of the UK company with immediate effect and report to Steve Cooper, CEO, WMG. Lousada will combine his new role with his existing responsibilities as Chairman, Atlantic Records UK.

Miles Leonard, who at present is Chairman, Parlophone Records and Co-Chairman of Warner Bros. Records UK, will take on full responsibility for Warner Bros. UK following Tattersfield’s departure, reporting to Lousada.

Steve Cooper said, “Christian’s tenure as leader of Warner Music UK has been an extremely impressive one. As well as guiding the company through on-going commercial success, he has fostered a culture of excellence in artist development that will continue to shape our future. We are extremely grateful for his contribution and for his continued support as we enter this transitional phase ahead of his departure. We’ll always consider Christian a part of the Warner Music family and look forward to collaborating with him on future projects.”

“Max’s achievements at Atlantic UK have been remarkable. Artists that have emerged under his stewardship are among the most successful British acts in recent years, not only in the local market but on the world stage. Max is a natural successor to Christian and, in Miles and the rest of the senior UK team, he will have extremely strong support when he takes the role. His appointment ensures stability and continuity during the handover period and leaves us well positioned for growth in this important and influential market.”

Christian Tattersfield said, “With the company in such great shape and its future in such good hands, the time is right for me to focus on the kind of entrepreneurial projects that I have pursued since I started out in the industry. My time as the CEO of Warner Music UK has allowed me to work with some of the best artists and executives in the business, not least Max, who I am confident will continue to lead with the same creative energy that has made Atlantic UK such an A&R powerhouse.”

Max Lousada said, “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to lead Warner Music UK and am indebted to Christian for his tremendous encouragement over the last four years, during which time he steadfastly supported our boundless ambition and artistic vision for Atlantic UK. I look forward to continuing that spirit of partnership with Miles and our other exceptional leaders here in the UK as well as with the extraordinary artists we work with across all our labels.”

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EXECUTIVE BIOGRAPHIES:

CHRISTIAN TATTERSFIELD
Christian Tattersfield was appointed CEO, Warner Music UK and Chairman, Warner Bros. Records UK in August 2009, assuming responsibility for the full portfolio of Warner Music’s labels in the UK. Under Tattersfield’s leadership, Warner Music has developed successful UK signings such as Ed Sheeran, Lianne La Havas, Foals, Cee Lo Green, Rumer, Birdy, The Overtones and Hugh Laurie, while taking established UK acts like Muse, Plan B, Paolo Nutini and Biffy Clyro to new career highs. Tattersfield and his team have also helped to secure the UK success of US-signed acts such as Bruno Mars, Michael Bublé, Green Day and Linkin Park.

In recent years, Tattersfield has overseen the expansion of the company’s A&R capabilities by forging partnerships with renowned music figures like Pete Tong and Steve Greenberg. He has also strengthened the support offered to artists who work with WMUK via ADA, which has partnerships with some of the biggest independent labels and acts in the world, including Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and Warner Music Artist and Label Services, which launched with Johnny Marr and Orbital already on board.

Tattersfield began his career in music at London Records in 1990, establishing new labels Systematic and Internal there. In 1997, he moved to BMG where he founded the NorthWestSide imprint, whose signings included Jay-Z, Another Level and ‘N Sync. After subsequently joining East West Records as MD, Tattersfield signed David Gray before establishing 14th Floor in 2002. At 14th Floor, he nurtured acclaimed musical talents such as Biffy Clyro, The Wombats, Damien Rice and Ray LaMontagne.

Tattersfield is Chairman of the BRITs Committee.

MAX LOUSADA
Max Lousada took the helm of Atlantic Records UK in 2004. Since then, he and his team have built a roster of artists who are both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, including Plan B, Ed Sheeran, Birdy, Rudimental, Paolo Nutini, James Blunt, Rumer, Lykke Li, Marina and the Diamonds and Santigold. Lousada has also presided over the continued UK success of Atlantic’s enviable international roster which includes acts such Bruno Mars, fun., Paramore, Flo Rida, Death Cab For Cutie, Jason Mraz and Janelle Monáe.

At the same time, Lousada has built a strongly creative and multi-disciplinary infrastructure to broaden the support Atlantic UK can offer its artists. He has established creative partnerships with renowned figures such as Stuart Price and Ethan Johns as well as publishing agreements with James Ford and Maiday.

Prior to his tenure at Atlantic UK, Lousada was head of A&R at Mushroom Records where he signed ambient dance act Zero 7 to his imprint Ultimate Dilemma and played a key role in the development of their 2001 debut album Simple Things. Lousada was also closely involved in the careers of Mushroom acts such as Muse, Ash and Garbage.

After Mushroom’s acquisition by Warner Music, Lousada was appointed as Head of A&R at Atlantic Records UK, before being promoted to President, and then to Chairman in 2009.

MILES LEONARD
Miles Leonard began his career in the music industry at Virgin in 1991 where he signed The Verve, before joining the Parlophone A&R team in 1995. He was appointed President of A&R Labels, Parlophone in 2008 and became President of Parlophone & Virgin Labels in 2011. During his time at EMI Miles showed huge versatility across all genres, and played a vital role in developing and building an enviable roster of artists such as Emeli Sandé, Gorillaz, Eliza Doolittle, Eric Prydz, Kylie Minogue, Bastille, Tinie Tempah, Lily Allen, Swedish House Mafia and Coldplay. Throughout his tenure at both Parlophone and Virgin labels, Leonard had presided over the success of international artists such as Norah Jones, Katy Perry and Lady Antebellum.

Parlophone A&R have twice received the Music Week A&R award.

Leonard joined Warner Music Group in 2013 following the company’s acquisition of Parlophone Label Group.