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Ellie Goulding Sues Former Managers Over Live Nation Ownership
August19
UK artist Ellie Goulding has filed a legal claim against her former managers Ben Mawson and Ed Millett, alleging that she was not informed that their management company was owned by Live Nation while she was entering into commercial agreements with other Live Nation businesses.
The claim, filed in the UK on July 24, also names TaP Management parent company HNOE Ltd as a defendant. It was first reported by Variety.
Goulding was managed by TaP Management from 2018 until 2025, with Mawson and Millett reportedly receiving a 20% management commission during that period.
Alleged conflict of interest
According to the claim, Goulding entered into agreements with Live Nation-affiliated companies covering areas including touring, merchandise and a documentary project while under TaP`s management.
Goulding alleges that she was unaware Live Nation also controlled HNOE, the company behind TaP Management.
The claim argues that Mawson and Millett therefore had an actual or potential conflict of interest when advising Goulding on transactions involving Live Nation companies, including decisions over promoters, merchandise partners and other commercial counterparties.
It also alleges that the managers were subject to contractual obligations restricting them from encouraging artists they represented to stop doing business with companies within the Live Nation group.
The allegations have not been tested in court.
Live Nation acquired HNOE
According to the filing, Live Nation acquired a 50.1% stake in HNOE in 2015 before purchasing the remaining interest in 2019.
Mawson subsequently became CEO of HNOE, while the claim states that Mawson and Millett reported to an individual designated by Live Nation`s chief executive.
UK Companies House records list Live Nation-related companies as the current entities with significant control over HNOE.
Goulding is seeking unspecified equitable compensation and/or damages for alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, as well as other relief.
Goulding returns to former management
Goulding joined TaP in 2018 after previously being represented for almost a decade by companies led by Sarah Stennett, including Turn First Artists and First Access Entertainment.
She has since returned to Stennett for management and has also signed with WME for worldwide representation, according to Variety.
The case comes as Live Nation continues to operate across several parts of the live entertainment business, including promotion, ticketing, venues and artist management. According to the company`s latest annual report, its artist management businesses represented approximately 360 artists in 2025.
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