Vanessa Bosåen is leaving Virgin Music Group.
The President of Virgin Music Group UK – the UK arm of Universal Music Group‘s global independent music division – confirmed her exit in a note to staff on Thursday (August 20). The note 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 completed on February 20.
On June 30, VMG unveiled a global and regional leadership team built around six regions, uniting senior executives from Virgin and Downtown under Co-CEOs JT Myers and Nat Pastor.
In Europe, Nick Roden was named President, with Liz Northeast appointed SVP and General Manager.
Bosåen does not name a successor in the note and does not say where she is going next.
Universal Music Group launched Virgin Music Label & Artist Services in February 2021, rebranding its Caroline and Caroline International operations.
Bosåen – then known as Vanessa Higgins – was named MD of the UK division at that launch.
She joined UMG from Regent Street Records, the independent label and publisher she founded in 2014, having spent 15 years as a touring musician.
“When I joined at the inception of Virgin Music UK, there were only a handful of us with a big ambition: to build a truly modern music company that put artists, labels and entrepreneurs first,” she wrote.
“We believed there was an opportunity to do things differently. Six years later, seeing that vision grow into the Virgin Music Group we know today has been a true privilege.”
“When I joined at the inception of Virgin Music UK, there were only a handful of us with a big ambition: to build a truly modern music company that put artists, labels and entrepreneurs first.”
Vanessa Bosåen, Virgin Music Group
“I’m especially proud of what we’ve built here in the UK,” added Bosåen. “Together, we’ve grown into one of the group’s flagship businesses.”
“More importantly, we’ve done it by staying true to the values we started with; putting artists first, backing entrepreneurs and building long-term partnerships based on trust,” said the Virgin Music Group UK President.
“We’ve celebrated chart-topping albums, global hit singles, breakthrough campaigns and career-defining moments,” wrote Bosåen.
“From Calm Down, Rema‘s collaboration with Selena Gomez, becoming one of the biggest records in the world, to D-Block Europe redefining what independent success can look like in British rap, Beabadoobee‘s remarkable international rise, Self Esteem‘s extraordinary creative breakthrough, Melanie C‘s continued success as an iconic British artist, The Lottery Winners‘ UK Number 1 albums, the breakthrough growth of The Royston Club and Dove Ellis, the global dance successes with Tobiahs and ANOTR, partnering with true legends Underworld, James Blake, Van Morrison and Peter Gabriel, and so many more, every success has been built on trust, partnership and an unwavering belief in great artists.”
She added: “Alongside our incredible UK roster, I’ve also been fortunate to represent and champion some of the world’s biggest and most exciting international artists. From global icons like BTS, Joan Jett, Kings of Leon and LL COOL J, today’s defining voices including Clairo, David Kushner and Bad Omens, through to classical breakthroughs like Timothy Ridout. It’s been a privilege to help connect extraordinary music with UK audiences.”
“As our UK business grew, so did the wider company,” wrote Bosåen. “It has been remarkable to watch Virgin evolve from an ambitious new label and artist services business into a truly global organization.”
“To have been there at the very beginning – and to have played a part in helping shape that journey – is something I’ll always be immensely proud of.”
Speaking to MBW in June 2024, Bosåen said of the job: “You’re so at the coalface of entrepreneurialism within the independent sector.”
In October 2025, Bosåen led VMG‘s partnership with Melanie C (and the artist’s own Red Girl Records) with a new album due in 2026.
“The hardest part of leaving is, without question, saying goodbye to the people,” wrote Bosåen.
“I’ve been fortunate to work alongside colleagues who have become genuine friends, and with artists, managers and entrepreneurs who placed their trust in us, often at the most important moments of their careers,” added the Virgin Music Group UK President.
“Thank you for that trust, your support, your belief and your friendship,” wrote Bosåen.
“While I’m incredibly excited about what lies ahead, I’ll always look back on my time at Virgin with enormous pride,” she wrote.
“Helping to build this business from the ground up, alongside such an extraordinary team, has been one of the defining experiences of my career,” added Bosåen. “Until we meet again: thank you.”Music Business Worldwide
