Sony Music Australia boss Denis Handlin leaves after 50 years

Denis Handlin has left Sony Music Australia as investigations into bullying and harrassment claims at the record label continue.

Sony Australia chairman Denis Handlin has quit. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

The head of Sony Music Entertainment in Australia, Denis Handlin, has left the company after 50 years as the American headquarters of the major record label continue investigations into harassment and bullying allegations involving others at the company.

Staff were alerted to the dramatic departure of the influential label boss via email from the chairman and CEO of the Sony Music Group Rob Stringer on Monday morning.

Stringer told the staff of the Australian arm of the company, which features Delta Goodrem, The Veronicas, Guy Sebastian, Amy Shark and Tones and I on its roster, that it was “time for a change in leadership.”

“I am writing to let you that Denis Handlin will be leaving Sony Music Entertainment after more than 50 years with the Company, effective immediately,” Stringer wrote in the email to staff.

Denis Handlin and singer Delta Goodrem.

“It is time for a change in leadership and I will be making further announcements in terms of the new direction of our business in Australia and New Zealand in due course.

“My team and I will be speaking further to your team leaders about this process throughout the week, but at this point I wanted to let everyone know this news at the same time.

“We thank Denis for his extraordinary contribution to the Company and its artists …”

Denis Handlin with singer Celine Dion.

It has been reported the US headquarters of Sony engaged an external counsel to investigate allegations of harassment and bullying after a senior manager was fired earlier this year.

There is no suggestion Handlin was involved in any inappropriate behaviour.

Jamiroquai with their double platinum awards presented by Denis Handlin. Picture: AAP

Handlin was the chairman of the board of ARIA, the industry body which represents Australia’s record labels and stages the annual ARIA Awards.

He regularly featured in the top 10 of the annual Power 50 list of the most influential people in the Australian music industry, issued by street press site themusic.com.au

Handlin was a fixture backstage at concerts by a raft of global pop and rock stars including Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, P!nk and One Direction.