Vanessa Bosåen is leaving Virgin Music Group.
The President of Virgin Music Group UK – the UK arm of Common Music Group‘s international unbiased music division – confirmed her exit in a be aware to workers on Thursday (August 20). The be aware was shared with MBW and posted publicly by Bosåen on LinkedIn.
“After six unforgettable years, the time has come for me to share that I’ll be leaving Virgin Music Group,” wrote Bosåen.
Her exit follows VMG‘s USD $775 million acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings, which accomplished on February 20.
On June 30, VMG unveiled a worldwide and regional management staff constructed round six areas, uniting senior executives from Virgin and Downtown beneath Co-CEOs JT Myers and Nat Pastor.
In Europe, Nick Roden was named President, with Liz Northeast appointed SVP and Normal Supervisor.
Bosåen doesn’t title a successor within the be aware and doesn’t say the place she goes subsequent.
Common Music Group launched Virgin Music Label & Artist Providers in February 2021, rebranding its Caroline and Caroline Worldwide operations.
Bosåen – then referred to as Vanessa Higgins – was named MD of the UK division at that launch.
She joined UMG from Regent Road Information, the unbiased label and writer she based in 2014, having spent 15 years as a touring musician.
“After I joined on the inception of Virgin Music UK, there have been solely a handful of us with a giant ambition: to construct a really trendy music firm that put artists, labels and entrepreneurs first,” she wrote.
“We believed there was a chance to do issues in a different way. Six years later, seeing that imaginative and prescient develop into the Virgin Music Group we all know at this time has been a real privilege.”
“After I joined on the inception of Virgin Music UK, there have been solely a handful of us with a giant ambition: to construct a really trendy music firm that put artists, labels and entrepreneurs first.”
Vanessa Bosåen, Virgin Music Group
“I’m particularly pleased with what we’ve constructed right here within the UK,” added Bosåen. “Collectively, we’ve grown into one of many group’s flagship companies.”
“Extra importantly, we’ve carried out it by staying true to the values we began with; placing artists first, backing entrepreneurs and constructing long-term partnerships based mostly on belief,” mentioned the Virgin Music Group UK President.
“We’ve celebrated chart-topping albums, international hit singles, breakthrough campaigns and career-defining moments,” wrote Bosåen.
“From Calm Down, Rema‘s collaboration with Selena Gomez, changing into one of many greatest information on the earth, to D-Block Europe redefining what unbiased success can seem like in British rap, Beabadoobee‘s outstanding worldwide rise, Self Esteem‘s extraordinary inventive breakthrough, Melanie C‘s continued success as an iconic British artist, The Lottery Winners‘ UK No 1 albums, the breakthrough development of The Royston Membership and Dove Ellis, the worldwide dance successes with Tobiahs and ANOTR, partnering with true legends Underworld, James Blake, Van Morrison and Peter Gabriel, and so many extra, each success has been constructed on belief, partnership and an unwavering perception in nice artists.”
She added: “Alongside our unbelievable UK roster, I’ve additionally been lucky to characterize and champion a number of the world’s greatest and most enjoyable worldwide artists. From international icons like BTS, Joan Jett, Kings of Leon and LL COOL J, at this time’s defining voices together with Clairo, David Kushner and Unhealthy Omens, by means of to classical breakthroughs like Timothy Ridout. It’s been a privilege to assist join extraordinary music with UK audiences.”
“As our UK enterprise grew, so did the broader firm,” wrote Bosåen. “It has been outstanding to look at Virgin evolve from an bold new label and artist providers enterprise into a really international group.”
“To have been there on the very starting – and to have performed an element in serving to form that journey – is one thing I’ll all the time be immensely pleased with.”
Talking to MBW in June 2024, Bosåen mentioned of the job: “You’re so on the coalface of entrepreneurialism inside the unbiased sector.”
In October 2025, Bosåen led VMG‘s partnership with Melanie C (and the artist’s personal Pink Woman Information) with a brand new album due in 2026.
“The toughest a part of leaving is, with out query, saying goodbye to the individuals,” wrote Bosåen.
“I’ve been lucky to work alongside colleagues who’ve develop into real mates, and with artists, managers and entrepreneurs who positioned their belief in us, usually at a very powerful moments of their careers,” added the Virgin Music Group UK President.
“Thanks for that belief, your assist, your perception and your friendship,” wrote Bosåen.
“Whereas I’m extremely enthusiastic about what lies forward, I’ll all the time look again on my time at Virgin with huge delight,” she wrote.
“Serving to to construct this enterprise from the bottom up, alongside such a rare staff, has been one of many defining experiences of my profession,” added Bosåen. “Till we meet once more: thanks.”Music Enterprise Worldwide
