Warner Music Group said on Tuesday (Oct. 14) that it is revamping its Central European operations by merging its recorded music businesses in Benelux (Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg) with those in GSA (Germany, Switzerland and Austria), forming an expanded Warner Music Central Europe.
This combined region — the six countries form the third-largest recorded music market globally, according to IFPI trade revenue data — will be led by Niels Walboomers, who has overseen WMG’s Benelux operations since 2023. He’ll report to Simon Robson, president of EMEA, recorded music, and split his time between Amsterdam, Berlin and Hamburg. Supporting Walboomers is Markus Holzherr, who carries on as chief business officer, a role he has held for three years.
The leadership transition coincides the departure of co-presidents Doreen Schimk and Fabian Drebes, who leave after four years in those roles and decades of service at Warner Music Central Europe. They cited their achievements such as launching a creative hub in Berlin and dominating the German charts in 2024.
“Every day here mattered,” Schimk and Drebes said. “The spirit of this team powered every success, and Warner Music will always hold a place in our hearts. As we hand over leadership, we’re confident the expanded region is well placed for its next chapter under Niels Walboomers and the management team.”
The merger reflects the similarities between the Benelux and GSA music markets, including strong domestic hip-hop scenes, export-driven dance genres and like-minded audiences for international pop and rock. Warner said it aims to streamline operations, strengthen artist development and foster cross-border collaboration by bringing these territories under one unified structure.
Walboomers expressed excitement about leading the supersized region and praised both the Benelux and GSA teams for their contributions. “The newly combined weight of these six countries make this one of the most influential territories in the Warner Music ecosystem, and by focusing that power in fresh and imaginative ways, we’ll create bigger and more dynamic possibilities for our artists,” he said.
Robson added that this “bold step” to consolidate “helps futureproof our European operations, opening up new pathways to global superstardom. Together, Niels – a committed, artist-first leader – and Markus – a CBO with deep expertise – make a powerful duo to drive our next phase of growth.”
On the publishing front, WMG noted that Natascha Augustin will continue as managing director of Warner Chappell Music Germany, reporting to WCM chief Guy Moot.
