The move means that the newly installed Sony Music UK and Ireland chairman and CEO Nick Gatfield, who replaced Doherty today, will report to a new head of international.

This job has traditionally been based in New York, but no decision has been made on an executive to take on this role.

There was also speculation that Geffen president Colin Barlow, whose departure from Universal to Sony was signposted earlier this year, will now take over Gatfield's old job at ...