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British recording artist Ellie Goulding has filed a lawsuit against her former managers Ben Mawson and Ed Millet, alleging they concealed a significant conflict of interest during their professional relationship. The managers, who worked with Goulding from 2018 to 2025 while collecting a 20% commission, failed to disclose that their parent company HNOE was owned by Live Nation, according to the legal claim.
The dispute centers on allegations that Mawson and Millet were bound by contractual restrictions preventing them from encouraging artists to terminate or reduce business dealings with Live Nation entities. During their tenure managing Goulding, she entered into multiple agreements with Live Nation subsidiaries covering touring, merchandise, and documentary production. The singer claims she was unaware of these ownership connections and the resulting obligations that may have influenced her managers’ recommendations.
Live Nation acquired a controlling stake in HNOE in 2015 and achieved full ownership four years later. Following the complete acquisition, Mawson assumed the role of CEO while both managers reported directly to a Live Nation executive. Goulding’s legal filing seeks unspecified compensation and damages for alleged breaches of fiduciary duty. The artist has since switched to new representation with Sarah Stennett for management and WME for worldwide representation, and plans to release her sixth studio album in September.
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Originally reported by Variety →
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