How this former accountant became a top music exec

Sean Warner, the CEO of Universal Music in Australia, thought he wanted to be an accountant, until he realised he didn’t.

Sean Warner loves his job. “I get paid to go to gigs and hang out with rock stars, so it’s a lot of fun.” Louie Douvis

Sally Patten and Lap Phan

Sep 10, 2024 – 5.00am

Email LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Subscribe to gift this article

Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.

Subscribe now

Already a subscriber?

When Sean Warner was a teenager, he went to a barbecue at the home of a family friend, who owned a couple of expensive European cars. Warner, who is now chief executive of Universal Music in Australia and New Zealand, asked what the friend did. He was an accountant. Warner was sold.

Until he wasn’t, because he realised he didn’t actually like the work.

Email LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Subscribe to gift this article

Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.

Subscribe now

Already a subscriber?

License article

Introducing your Newsfeed

Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.

Find out more

Sally PattenBOSS editorSally Patten edits BOSS, and writes about workplace issues. She was the financial services editor and personal finance editor of the AFR, The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. She edited business news for The Times of London.