Warner Music Central Europe Combines Benelux and GSA

Warner Music Central Europe (WMCE) is expanding to combine its recorded music businesses in Benelux (Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg), including Spinnin’ Records, with those in Germany, Switzerland and Austria (GSA).

Staff moves:

• Doreen Schimk and Fabian Drebes will step down after four years as Co-Presidents at WMCE.

• WMCE will be led by Niels Walboomers, who has overseen the company’s recorded music and music publishing operations in Benelux since 2023.

• He will split his time between the affiliate’s Amsterdam, Berlin and Hamburg offices.

• He will report to Simon Robson, President, EMEA, Recorded Music, Warner Music Group.

• Walboomers will be supported by Chief Business Officer Markus Holzherr, who has held that role for the last three years at WMCE.

The reasoning:

• In announcing the move, Warner Music notes the similarities between the Benelux and GSA territories, “with export-orientated dance genres, strong domestic hip-hop scenes, and audiences passionate about international pop and rock music.”

• It adds that the territories included in WMCE make up the third largest recorded music market in the world, behind the US and Japan, based on IFP trade revenue figures.

Ongoing restructuring

• These changes are the latest in a series of restructures at WMG.

• In September it was announced that Warner Music UK CEO Tony Harlow would depart, and that Atlantic Records and Warner Records in the UK and US would collaborate more closely across A&R and marketing.

• Warner Music UK COO Isabel Garvey has also announced plans to leave.

What they said:

• Simon Robson: “I want to thank Doreen and Fabian for their remarkable contributions over the past four years. Their partnership took Warner Music Central Europe to another level, and their support for domestic and international artists has been immense. This bold step helps futureproof our European operations, opening up new pathways to global superstardom. Together, Niels – a committed, artist-first leader – and Markus – a CBO with deep expertise – make a powerful duo to drive our next phase of growth.”