Nick Gatfield, a former Universal and EMI executive, has been named Sony Music U.K.’s chairman and CEO, according to a statement from the company. Gatfield, who replaces Ged Doherty, will report directly to new Sony Music Entertainment CEO Doug Morris.
Sources told Billboard.biz that New York-based Sony International head Richard Sanders left the company on Wednesday as well. Hits Daily Double speculated that Edgar Berger, head of Sony Music Germany Switzerland Austria, will replace him.
Morris, in a statement, described Gatfield as “an accomplished music executive with a successful A&R background, strong senior management experience, and a special understanding of the artist community.”
Before taking the job at Sony, Gatfield worked as EMI Music president of new music for North America and president of Universal Island Records. (He also once played in the band Dexy’s Midnight Runners.)
Gatfield said in a statement that he “looks forward to working with the team to build Sony Music UK & Ireland into the leading music entertainment company in the market.”