Sony Music Australia & New Zealand Announces Departure Of Chair & CEO, Vanessa Picken

Sony Music have today announced the departure of Vanessa Picken, with the industry executive informing the company she is stepping down as the Chair and CEO of Sony Music Australia and New Zealand after three years in the role.

“It has been a privilege to lead such a dedicated and talented company, collaborating with so many inspiring artists and their teams,” Picken said in a statement shared today. “Supporting their growth, creativity, and bold visions has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my role. 

“With my term now complete, I feel this is the perfect time to embrace my next opportunity.”

Picken assumed her role of the first woman to hold the prestigious title in June 2022, taking over from Denis Handlin AO, who departed the company in June 2021 after more than 50 years at the company, and 37 in the top job. 

Handlin’s high-profile exit occurred in the wake of reports that Sony Music’s US head office was “investigating claims of discrimination, bullying and harassment” within the Australian arm of the business.

Picken had launched her career in the music industry back in 2006, starting work with EMI Music Australia where she would spend five years working alongside the label’s local and international artists.

Alongside work as an artist manager and time spent working with [PIAS] (including almost two years as their Managing Director based out of Los Angeles), Picken was also the co-curator of FastForward Sydney, a music technology conference for industry leaders.

During her time at Sony, Picken oversaw numerous high-profile achievements for the company, including a worldwide deal for Sydney’s Mansionair, and deals for fellow Australian acts such as Gang Of Youth, Angus & Julia Stone, and more. Her time at the company also coincided with the launch of SME’s live-music and experiential division, Sony Music Masterworks Australia and New Zealand.

Picken’s efforts at the company also resulted in her being named one of Billboard’s Global Power Players for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together over the past three years, particularly during this transformative period for our Australia and New Zealand operations,” Picken continued.

“We’ve modernized our organizational structure, enhanced our digital and marketing capabilities, and fueled new growth through experiential and licensing ventures. Throughout it all, we’ve placed a renewed focus on artist wellbeing and deepened their connection to the team.

“As I move on from being the first woman to hold this role, I do so with great excitement for the future,” she added. “I’m confident I won’t be the last, and I hope that in the process, I’ve inspired others to follow their own paths.”

“We extend our thanks to Vanessa for her time at Sony Music and for her commitment to guiding our artists’ careers and championing local creative talent,” added Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer. “We wish her every success in the next chapter of her journey.”

In August of this year, The Daily Telegraph reported that Picken was also the subject of formal complaints from employees at Sony Music Australia who accused her of “fostering a toxic workplace culture.” The publication also noted that a separate, previous investigation had cleared Picken of any wrongdoing.

The initial complaints included allegations of undermining senior staffers, making “rude and demeaning remarks” about and to employees, and the making of inappropriate comments about individuals on maternity leave.

While “no evidence of wrongdoing” was discovered following an external investigation by Sony, the later allegations included claims of belittling staff, undermining employees, and speaking down to fellow team members.

Sony were reported as addressing these allegations of inappropriate workplace by way of an internal email to staff, though no updates in regard to any further investigations were provided prior to news of Picken’s exit.