Warner Music U.K.’s Isabel Garvey Steps Down Amidst Ongoing Leadership Shuffle

LONDON — Isabel Garvey announced on Wednesday (Oct. 8) that she would be stepping down from her role of chief operations officer at Warner Music U.K. at the end of the year.

In an internal memo obtained by Billboard U.K., Garvey writes that she has decided “to step down from my role” and leave Warner Music U.K., adding that it is “the right decision for me and for the company.”

“Without a COO role, and our label heads joining the global management teams of Atlantic and Warner Records, the central functions will all be led by Simon [Robson, president, EMEA, Recorded Music], ensuring the new structure is simple and the lines of accountability are clear.”

The news comes amidst a major leadership reshuffle at the major’s U.K. arm. In September it was announced that Tony Harlow, chief executive of Warner Music U.K. would be exiting the business, and that several U.K. executives from Warner Records and Atlantic Records would join the global leadership team of their U.S. counterparts and collaborate more closely across A&R and marketing strategies.

In the memo to staff, Garvey highlighted the U.K. successes of Alex Warren, Benson Boone, Charli xcx, Ed Sheeran, Sombr and Teddy Swims in recent years, adding that the team had “navigated a tough market and punched well above our weight.” She continued, “Through a period of significant change, I’ve been so impressed by your resilience and adaptability, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together.”

In a note to Warner staff, Robson praised how Garvey “shaped our approach and culture at a time of seismic change in the industry, and Warner Music has benefited enormously from her strategic thinking and fresh perspective.”

Garvey assumed the role in May 2023 and joined following a stint as managing director of Abbey Road Studios. She appeared in Billboard U.K.‘s inaugural U.K. Power Players list in June 2025.