Sony Music has finally appointed a new CEO for its Australian and New Zealand operations, one year after former chairman Denis Handlin was ousted from the company amid an investigation into workcon misconduct.
The music conglomerate announced on Wednesday that Australian music executive Vanessa Picken will take over the top job starting in September.
Ms Picken, who is currently based in Los Angeles, will relocate back to Sydney for the new role.
Sony Music Australia and New Zealand has finally appointed its new CEO, Vanessa Picken (pictured), one year after Denis Handlin’s controversial departure amid workplace misconduct allegations
According to a press release, Ms Picken boasts over 15 years of experience in leadership, artist and label management and marketing in the digital entertainment business.
‘After a careful and thorough recruitment process, we are delighted to have Vanessa join our company in such a key role,’ Sony Music Group chairman Rob Stringer said in a statement on Wednesday.
‘Her impressive background covers so many areas of the modern music business in Australia and New Zealand and her recent leadership experience in the United States adds a global understanding to those existing skills. We believe Vanessa will be a trailblazing executive leading Sony Music Australia to an exciting future. ‘
News of Ms Picken’s appointment comes a year after the company’s former CEO Denis Handlin AO’s (pictured) made a shock exit. At the time, the company was being investigated other workers over allegations of bullying and harassment
In a statement, Ms Picken said she is ‘delighted’ to be ‘coming home’ to Australia for this new role, and vows to ‘take the company into a transformative next chapter’.
News of Ms Picken’s appointment comes a year after the company’s former CEO Denis Handlin AO made a shock exit.
At the time, the company was being investigated other workers over allegations of bullying and harassment.
Mr Handlin was one of the most powerful and influential figures in the music industry and helped bands and stars like Delta Goodrem, Jessica Mauboy and Gang of Youths achieve international fame
Mr Handlin was one of the most powerful and influential figures in the music industry and helped bands and stars like Delta Goodrem, Jessica Mauboy and Gang of Youths achieve international fame.
Sony Music’s global chairman Rob Stringer announced the Handlin’s departure in June last year, sending an internal email to staff with the news.
‘I am writing to let you know that Denis Handlin will be leaving Sony Music Entertainment after more than 50 years with the company, effectively immediately,’ Mr Stringer wrote.
Sony Music’s global chairman Rob Stringer announced the Handlin’s departure in June last year, sending an internal email to staff with the news
‘It is time for a change in leadership and I will be making further announcements in terms of the new direction of our business in Australia and New Zealand in due course.’
Mr Stringer went on to thank Mr Handlin – Sony Music’s longest-serving employee anywhere in the world – for his ‘extraordinary contribution’ to the company.
Mr Handlin’s son Pat, a Sony Music Australia executive, was standing down a day later.
The departures came just days after it was revealed that Sony Music was investigating claims of bullying and harassment within its Australian office.
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Denis nor Pat Handlin were involved in any of the allegations.
Mr Handlin’s son Pat, a Sony Music Australia executive, was standing down a day later. Pictured right, with fiancée Samantha Jade
Source: | Dailymail.co.uk