Sonny Takhar has been named Chairman and CEO of Warner Music UK & Ireland.
Takhar will take up the role in January 2027, overseeing creative direction, artist development, and strategic operations across WMG’s recorded music footprint in the UK, the world’s third-largest music market, and Ireland.
Takhar will report to Val Blavatnik, who was confirmed last week in a new position as Managing Director of Warner Music North America, UK & Corporate Development.
A WMG press release issued today (September 28) said Takhar will work in “close partnership” with Elliot Grainge, CEO and Chairman of Atlantic Music Group and Chairman of ADA in the US, as well as Aaron Bay-Schuck, Chairman and CEO of Warner Records Group, to “ensure seamless creative and commercial alignment across WMG’s flagship UK and US labels.”
Takhar’s remit will additionally include oversight of the UK and Irish operations of ADA, WMG’s independent distribution arm.
Val Blavatnik said: “Sonny is one of the most visionary executives in music and his track record of discovering, nurturing, and breaking global superstars speaks for itself. His instinct for talent, deep understanding of the wider music ecosystem and strategic global perspective make him the perfect leader to power Warner Music UK & Ireland forward.”
Sonny Takhar added: “I’m delighted to lead Warner Music UK & Ireland into its next chapter. Drawing on my background across labels, management, publishing, and touring, I look forward to driving the business with spirit, ambition, innovation, and integrity.
“Our mission is to build a forward-thinking and artist-centric organization that empowers talent to forge long-term global careers.”
As a founding partner of Syco Entertainment, Takhar oversaw a roster that generated more than 400 million record sales, 244 Number One albums, and 169 Number One singles worldwide.
During his tenure, he played a central role in breaking artists including One Direction, Labrinth, Leona Lewis, Little Mix, James Arthur, and Fifth Harmony, alongside leading the launch of hit global TV franchises The X Factor and Got Talent.
More recently, Takhar co-founded Los Angeles-based KYN Entertainment in a joint venture with Live Nation, with an artist-partnership model spanning recorded music, publishing, and management.
Takhar’s track record also includes guiding global touring giant Westlife to sell-out stadium tours worldwide and managing the highly successful songwriter/producer, Steve Mac.
Beyond the industry, Takhar co-created UNICEF’s World Children’s Day and serves as a formal advisor to the organization.
Today’s announcement comes nearly a year after the exit of Warner Music UK’s former head, Tony Harlow.
In September 2025, shortly after Harlow announced his departure from Warner, WMG moved its UK label heads into the global leadership teams run by their US counterparts.
Under that structure, Atlantic UK Co-Presidents Ed Howard and Briony Turner began reporting to Grainge.
Joe Kentish, President of Warner Records and Parlophone Label Group in the UK, began reporting to Bay-Schuck and Tom Corson, who has since become COO of Warner Music Group.Music Business Worldwide
Sonny Takhar will assume the role of Chairman and CEO of Warner Music UK & Ireland starting January 2027. In this capacity, he will be responsible for the creative direction, artist development, and strategic operations within WMG’s recorded music division across the UK and Ireland, which together represent the third-largest music market globally. Takhar will report to Val Blavatnik, who has recently been appointed Managing Director of Warner Music North America, UK & Corporate Development.
According to a press release from WMG, Takhar will work closely with key figures in the organization, including Elliot Grainge, the CEO and Chairman of Atlantic Music Group, and Aaron Bay-Schuck, Chairman and CEO of Warner Records Group. This collaboration aims to ensure a unified creative and commercial strategy for WMG’s major labels in both the UK and the US. Additionally, Takhar will oversee the UK and Irish operations of ADA, WMG’s independent distribution arm.
Val Blavatnik praised Takhar, stating that he is a visionary executive with a proven ability to discover and develop global superstars. His extensive experience and understanding of the music ecosystem position him as the ideal candidate to lead Warner Music UK & Ireland into the future. Takhar himself expressed enthusiasm for the role, indicating his commitment to fostering a forward-thinking and artist-centric organization that empowers talent to build sustainable global careers.
Takhar has a notable history in the music industry, having been a founding partner of Syco Entertainment, where he managed a roster that achieved over 400 million record sales, including 244 Number One albums and 169 Number One singles. He played a pivotal role in launching and promoting major artists like One Direction, Labrinth, Leona Lewis, Little Mix, James Arthur, and Fifth Harmony. Additionally, he was instrumental in creating successful global television formats such as The X Factor and Got Talent.
More recently, Takhar co-founded KYN Entertainment, a Los Angeles-based venture in partnership with Live Nation focusing on artist partnerships across recorded music, publishing, and management. He also has a background in managing successful global touring acts, including Westlife, and has worked with prominent songwriter and producer Steve Mac.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Takhar has made contributions to humanitarian efforts, notably co-creating UNICEF’s World Children’s Day and serving as an advisor to the organization.
This announcement comes nearly a year following the departure of Warner Music UK’s previous head, Tony Harlow. In September 2025, shortly after Harlow’s exit, WMG restructured its UK label leadership, integrating them into global leadership teams alongside their US counterparts. As a result, Atlantic UK Co-Presidents Ed Howard and Briony Turner began reporting to Elliot Grainge, while Joe Kentish, President of Warner Records and the Parlophone Label Group in the UK, began reporting to Aaron Bay-Schuck and Tom Corson, who has since become COO of Warner Music Group.
Overall, Sonny Takhar’s appointment reflects WMG’s strategic focus on enhancing its operations in the UK and Ireland, with an emphasis on nurturing talent and fostering innovation within the music industry.
