‘The Time Feels Right’: Read George Ash’s Message to Universal Music Staff

“The time is right for me to step down from Universal. I feel confident that with the brilliant leadership group we have now, the organisation will continue to grow and thrive.”

And with that message from George Ash, distributed early Monday (Dec. 12), the end of an era at Universal Music Australia and NZ.

Ash relocated to Australia from his homeland, New Zealand, in 2001, and became president of the company in 2010, later adding duties for Universal Music’s activities in Asia Pacific.

He’ll retire from the helm at year’s end, having led the music major and its roster of stars, which includes Lorde, Baker Boy, Tame Impala, Gotye, Dean Lewis, Troye Sivan, A.B. Original, Tina Arena and Havana Brown.

Under Ash’s leadership, comments Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, the domestic team “has delivered countless local and international artist successes in this incredibly dynamic market. We are grateful to George for his dedication to, and passion for, our artists, and for the historic achievements of UMA during his tenure.”

As previously reported by TMN, in August last year Ash instigated an investigation into workplace culture at UMA. He had engaged Darren Perry at law firm Seyfarth Shaw to conduct the investigation, and encouraged staff to raise concerns through internal and external complaints channels.

“I am excited by the changes we have made in the region in the past couple of years,” he continues in the UMG statement, issued as the industry headed to work, “and look forward to seeing the team and incredible rosters of artists, flourish in the future.”

In a separate message to staff, seen by TMN, Ash spoke of the personal interests and passions that he’s keen to explore, and how his love of music remains “undiminished.”

Read Ash’s message to employees below:

Dear colleagues,

I am writing to let you all know that I will be stepping down from my role as President of UMA at the end of the year. 

This is something that I have been planning for a long time, as I still have many areas of personal interest and passions that I want to explore. 

Having been with the company for nearly three decades, the time feels right. I am so confident in, and proud of, the brilliant leadership team we have in place, as well as the positive changes we have made in the past couple of years, and I am excited to see the company, staff, labels, and artists continue to grow and thrive in the years ahead.

I am also proud of the role that I have played in transforming UMA into the market-leading music company. It has been an honor to work with so many talented and creative artists, including Lorde, Baker Boy, Amyl and The Sniffers, Tame Impala, Gotye, Hayley Westenra, Wolfmother, Dean Lewis, Hilltop Hoods, Troye Sivan, Empire of the Sun, A.B. Original, Tina Arena, Havana Brown, The Presets, Boy & Bear, Powderfinger, Bernard Fanning, Sarah Blasko, Tkay Maidza and countless others, especially those that we have helped introduce to new audiences around the world.  It has also been a pleasure to welcome so many of UMG’s international artists to our shores, and to help them achieve great success here.

This company is filled with exceptional people, and it has been a privilege to share this journey with you all. My heartfelt thanks go to Sir Lucian Grainge for his incredible support and guidance, and to Boyd Muir, with whom I have worked since the very beginning of my time at UMG. 

My adoration, respect and gratitude go to so many of my colleagues here in Australia, New Zealand and around the world. I have so many fond memories, favorite shows, and most of all friendships from my time here. 

After 35 years working in music, my love for it has not diminished, and I’m as excited for the future as I was back then, when I was working the nightshift in the Polygram pressing plant in Wellington. 

My enduring thanks and admiration.