Tom Connaughton, Managing Director for Spotify in the UK and Ireland, is exiting his role after nearly six years at the music streaming platform.
The exec’s exit marks the second regional Managing Director’s departure from the music streaming company in as many weeks.
Last week we learned that SPOT’s Sweden-based MD for the Nordic region, Jenny Hermanson, is also leaving the company.
On Monday (December 4), Spotify CEO Daniel Ek announced that the company is slashing around 17% of its global workforce, with over 1,500 jobs to be impacted as a result.
Connaughton joined Spotify in April 2018 as Head of Artist and Label Marketing, UK, following seven years with Vevo.
The exec moved over to Spotify from his New York-based role as Vevo’s SVP of Creative Content & Programming.
He was promoted to MD at Spotify for the UK in July 2018.
Connaughton confirmed the news of his departure from Spotify on Thursday (December 7) via a post on social media.
“After an amazing six years, my time as Managing Director of Spotify UK and Ireland has come to an end,” he wrote.
“It’s been a privilege to lead this team, and to be part of a brand that plays such a central role in people’s lives, whether that’s the amazing artists and their teams whose work we love, our friends and colleagues across the industry, and of course the audience who listen along.”
“After an amazing six years, my time as Managing Director of Spotify UK and Ireland has come to an end.”
Tom Connaughton
He added: “The UK and Ireland is a massive market for Spotify, and the business today is unrecognisable to what it was when I first joined.
“That’s all been made possible by the incredible people that I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside. They all care so deeply about giving a platform to artists and creators, and to providing an amazing user experience for all of us to enjoy.”
You can read Connaughton’s post in full below:
After an amazing six years, my time as Managing Director of Spotify UK and Ireland has come to an end.
It’s been a privilege to lead this team, and to be part of a brand that plays such a central role in people’s lives, whether that’s the amazing artists and their teams whose work we love, our friends and colleagues across the industry, and of course the audience who listen along.
The UK and Ireland is a massive market for Spotify, and the business today is unrecognisable to what it was when I first joined. That’s all been made possible by the incredible people that I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside. They all care so deeply about giving a platform to artists and creators, and to providing an amazing user experience for all of us to enjoy.
The team has achieved so much during my time here, but the thing I’m proudest of is the culture that we’ve fostered. The creativity and talent is unrivalled, and I can’t thank them enough for their commitment and energy.
Spotify is a great place to be thanks to its people. The work they do matters to so many people, and I can’t wait to see what they achieve next.
To my friends and partners in the industry, thank you for putting your trust in the team. And to all the artists and creators that we serve, thank you for enriching lives every single day.
For me, I’ll be taking some time out to spend with my young family, continue my work on the Board of Trustees with the London Irish Centre and assess what I want to do next, so please stay in touch.
Music Business Worldwide
