Alan Ridgeway, Live Nation’s Chief Financial Officer for the past two years, was promoted to CEO of the company’s International Music Division effective September 1. He will be replaced as CFO by Kathy Willard, former Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer.
Ridgeway will relocate back to the company’s London offices where he will oversee all aspects of Live Nation’s growing international business, which currently operates in 16 countries outside of the United States and Canada. He will continue to report directly to Michael Rapino, Live Nation’s CEO.
Carl Pernow, who was previously president of the International Music Division, was named President Nordics, where he will oversee Live Nation’s activities in Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway. Thomas Johannson will remain Chairman of the International Music Division, according to the company. . .
“From 2002 to 2005, Alan worked with me to build our International Music Division into what is now our largest and most profitable music business,” said Rapino in a prepared statement. “As CEO of this division, Alan will provide the leadership required to continue the expansion of our successful international operations.”
Prior to becoming the CFO of Live Nation, Ridgeway was president of the company’s European Music Division, where he oversaw 12 European markets and led the company’s expansion into new countries. As CFO, Ridgeway guided the company through its transformation from a division of Clear Channel Communications to a stand alone, publicly-traded company.
“Kathy is the ideal person to take on the role of Live Nation’s Chief Financial Officer,” Rapino said. “Not only does Kathy have an extraordinarily strong accounting skill-set and work ethic, she has a long history within the industry and with this company which will serve us well in this unique and changing music market environment.”
