Garvey was most recently MD of London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios.
Warner says that Garvey has “a stellar track record at major labels in senior executive positions”.
The exec’s career includes five years as SVP of Commercial Channels and Consumer Marketing at Warner Music International and, before that, VP of Digital at EMI.
She joins WMUK from Abbey Road Studios, where she was appointed Managing Director in 2014.
During her tenure at Abbey Road, according to Wednesday’s (March 29) announcement, “she drove the world-famous studio into the future by expanding both the studio footprint and the brand, launching digital production services and establishing Europe’s first incubator for music tech innovation, amongst many other achievements”.
Speaking to MBW in 2016 about Abbey Road Red, the studio’s tech incubator, Garvey said: “Abbey Road Red is really pivotal to our innovation story”
Added Garvey: “The whole ethos of Red is to embrace the startup and academic community – making sure we’re at the forefront of music technology in its broadest sense, not just production or music creation.
“We don’t know what the studio of the future really looks like but we’d rather be the disruptors than the disrupted. That’s why we’re investing so heavily in Red; to keep our finger on the pulse and pick up pieces that will be relevant to the wider Universal family that help us all move forward.”
“Isabel’s appointment signals our constant evolution, bringing her widely admired creativity, innovation and technological entrepreneurship to the service of our artists and their visions.”
Tony Harlow
In making the announcement, Harlow said: “This is an exciting new phase for WMUK.
“Isabel’s appointment signals our constant evolution, bringing her widely admired creativity, innovation and technological entrepreneurship to the service of our artists and their visions.”
“I am delighted to be re-joining the Warner Music family at a time when WMUK is positioning itself towards an exciting and innovative future.”
Isabel Garvey
Commenting on the news, Garvey, said: “I am delighted to be re-joining the Warner Music family at a time when WMUK is positioning itself towards an exciting and innovative future.
“The industry is more challenging and yet full of opportunity than ever, and I look forward to working with Tony, the dynamic executive team and the brilliant roster of artists to grow the business further.”
News of Garvey’s appointment arrives on the same day that a number of other changes were announced by Warner Music UK, which it says are “designed to allow the company to evolve into the future”.
As part of the changes, WMUK frontline label Parlophone’s Co-Presidents Nick Burgess, Mark ‘Mitch’ Mitchell, and General Manager Jack Melhuish will exit the label.
Jennifer Ivory, currently, SVP, Warner Records UK, will be taking over as Managing Director of Parlophone.
Additionally, Parlophone will join Warner Records UK, Roadrunner, FFRR and Elektra Entertainment in what Warner calls “a newly created coalition of labels” which will sit under the overall guidance of Warner Records UK President, Joe Kentish.Music Business Worldwide
