Published: September 26, 2026 · 1:30 AM EDT
Simon Robson will exit Warner in December after nearly 30 years as Alejandro Duque, Aaron Bay-Schuck and Guillermo Gonzalez receive expanded roles across the company
Warner Music Group has announced a broad restructuring of its recorded music leadership, placing Val Blavatnik in a newly created role overseeing North America, the UK and corporate development while expanding responsibilities for several executives across Atlantic Music Group, ADA, Warner Records and Warner Music International.
Val Blavatnik has joined WMG’s executive team as Managing Director, Warner Music North America, UK, & Corporate Development. In the position, he will coordinate business and operational strategy across the United States, Canada and the UK while also helping guide Warner’s investment strategy. Blavatnik has served on WMG’s board since 2023 and previously worked as a special advisor to the company’s CEO. He is the son of Access Industries founder Len Blavatnik, whose company is Warner Music Group’s majority shareholder.
Another major change places Elliot Grainge in charge of ADA’s U.S. operations as Chairman, in addition to his existing role as Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Music Group. Zach Friedman, currently COO of Atlantic Music Group, will become Vice Chairman of ADA. Warner said ADA will continue operating as a standalone business serving independent artists and labels.
The international structure is also changing. Alejandro Duque has been promoted to President, Warner Music International, adding Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific to his responsibilities after previously leading Warner Music Latin America. Warner credits Duque with quadrupling the company’s frontline U.S. Latin market share during his five-year tenure.
At Warner Records, Aaron Bay-Schuck becomes sole Chairman and CEO of Warner Records Group after serving as Co-Chairman and CEO since 2018. Guillermo Gonzalez has been promoted to President, Warner Music EMEA, while Andrés Rothschild will succeed him as President of Warner Music Iberia.
The changes also mark the departure of longtime executive Simon Robson, who will step down in December after nearly 30 years with Warner. Robson most recently served as President, EMEA, Recorded Music and previously held senior positions across the company’s operations in the UK and Asia-Pacific.
Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl said the restructuring is intended to build on the company’s recent efforts to increase market share, improve the value of its music assets and increase operational efficiency. The moves represent one of Warner’s most extensive recorded-music leadership reorganizations since the company introduced a flatter global structure in 2024.
Watch Linkin Park’s official “The Emptiness Machine” music video, released through Warner Records, one of the flagship labels within Warner Music Group, below:
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
IMAGE CREDIT: Courtesy of Warner Music Group.
