Nicola Tuer named Sony UK COO after Nick Gatfield’s departure

Four days after Sony UK’s Nick Gatfield left his CEO position, his deputy has been promoted.

As reported by Billboard, Executive Vice President Nicola Tuer has advanced to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer, leaving room for another announcement regarding Gatfield’s replacement.

President and CEO Sony Music International, Edgar Berger says in a statement, “Nicola’s competitive spirit, commercial acumen and passion for music are unrivalled in the business. I am delighted to announce her promotion to COO and I am certain she will have enormous impact in leading the UK company to the next level.”

Tuer will now preside over the running of Sony UK and report to Berger.

Nicola Tuer also commented on her promotion, saying, “I am thrilled to have this opportunity. Sony is home to the most iconic labels and artists in the industry. Add to that our incredibly exciting roster of new artists and our dynamic executive team and we have all the ingredients to grow the company even further.”

Tuer started in with Sony UK in 1995, where after a five-year stint in lower-tier sales, was made Director of Sales in 2000. She was then promoted again to Vice President Sales in 2002 and later Senior Vice President after Sony and BMG’s merger in 2005, where she later took on the newly-merged commercial sales department in 2008. Tuer held her former position of Executive Vice President of UK and Ireland since November 2011.

Gatfield’s resignation last Thursday was announced with no explanation. A spokesperson from Sony spoke to Music Week and referred to his departure as “an amicable decision”. The Telegraph has also reported he was in contract negotiations with the executives of Sony Music’s US parent.