Costa Pilavachi has stepped down as president of EMI Classics, with immediate effect. His is the latest high-profile departure during the restructuring of EMI Music.
Until a successor is found, London-based Pat O’Driscoll, currently EMI Music’s deputy chairman of the board, will assume his role on an interim basis. She will focus on running the business side of EMI Classics.
O’Driscoll will work with Alain Lanceron, Paris-based president of Virgin Classics and EMI Classics’ VP A&R, and London-based Stephen Johns, EMI Classics’ A&R director. Lanceron and Johns will handle the music company’s creative activities.
At deadline, Pilavachi was not available to comment on his future plans. But he said in a statement: “Now that most of the restructuring has been completed and the future of EMI Classics is secure, it is time for me to move to new challenges.”
He joined EMI Classics in May 2006 from his position as president of Decca Music Group. His previous roles include being president of Philips Music Group, and artistic director at the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
