British singer Ellie Goulding has taken legal action against her former managers, Ben Mawson and Ed Millet of TaP Management, claiming that the two failed to disclose to her that TaP’s parent company, HNOE, was partially and then fully owned by Live Nation, creating a conflict of interest that benefited them and the company to the potential detriment of her career.
Mawson and Millet managed the singer from 2018 through 2025, taking a 20% commission, according to the claim, and during their tenure, Goulding signed agreements with Live Nation companies for touring, merchandise and a documentary film. She claims she was unaware that Live Nation owned her management company and her managers were contractually “restrained” from any activity that might “terminate or otherwise reduce or diminish [their management clients’] business relationship in any respect with the Company [Live Nation] or any of its affiliates,” the claim states.
As employees of Live Nation, Mawson and Millet “had a personal interest or duty in dealings between Ms. Goulding and companies in the Live Nation group which was in actual or potential conflict with the interests of Ms. Goulding in securing the best commercial terms with whichever promoter, merchandiser or other counterparty it was most advantageous for her to deal with,” the claim states.
“Mr. Mawson and Mr. Millett were subject to contractual obligations not to encourage any artist under their management to cease to do business with or reduce the extent of her or business with any company in the Live Nation group,” it continues.
The suit seeks unspecified “equitable compensation and/or damages for their breaches of fiduciary duty,” along with other related entitlements.
A rep for Mawson and Millett and reps for Live Nation (which is not named as a defendant in the claim) did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment.
Live Nation acquired 50.1% of HNOE in 2015 and, four years later, fully acquired the company. The claim states that since 2015 Live Nation has exercised “direct or indirect control of HNOE and has (through its subsidiaries) received dividends as ultimate controlling shareholder of HNOE.” While Mawson was named HNOE’s CEO after the full acquisition, he and Millett report “directly to an individual designated by Live Nation’s chief executive officer.”
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Goulding, who has returned to Sarah Stennett for management and WME for worldwide representation, is set to release her sixth studio album, “I Know Too Much,” on September 4.
Variety will have more on the situation as it develops.
From Variety US