Following his Sony Music exit, Denis Handlin ‘can no longer be on the ARIA board’

Denis Handlin’s departure from Sony Music will also trigger his exit from the ARIA board and bring to an end his longstanding reign as Chairman.

Earlier today, news broke of Handlin’s exit from Sony Music after 51 years, including 37 years at the helm of the Australian company.

With Handlin’s split from the music major, his position at ARIA becomes vacant, TIO can confirm.

“Denis Handlin is on the ARIA board as a representative of Sony Music,” says an ARIA spokesperson. “As he no longer works at Sony Music, he can no longer be on the ARIA board.”

It’s unclear what the next step looks like, though what is certain is that ARIA will need to hold an election to fill the vacant Chairman position.

Denis Handlin

Handlin has served as Chairman of the trade body since September 2010, having previously held the job from 1999 to 2008.

He’s been a member of the ARIA board since 1984.

In the years since, Handlin has also held posts on the boards of several industry associations including chairman of the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) and chairman of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) Asia Pacific Board.

As previously reported, the veteran executive abruptly leaves the company he has led since 1984, and a brand he has worked for since May 1970.

“It is time for a change in leadership,” reads an internal statement, penned by Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer, seen by TIO. "And I will be making further announcements in terms of the new direction of our business in Australia and New Zealand in due course."

According to the ARIA constitution, all board members must have current employment at a record label in Australia, and the Chair must be a head of a label.