Warner Music U.K. has upped its SVP of Finance, Mike Watson, to CFO, effective immediately. In his new role, he’ll report directly into WMU.K. CEO, Tony Harlow.

Watson, who joined the company as an intern nearly two decades ago, takes on the CFO role following the departure of Peter

Breeden, who left the business last month. He will be responsible for financial planning, budgeting and reporting for WMU.K.’s labels and departments. He also joins the label's leadership team to help inform the U.K. business' overall direction.

“Mike has been one of the unsung superstars of the U.K. team for a number of years now, continually leading his team through all our reporting challenges, including navigating going public, and I’m pleased to see him getting the opportunity to prove himself in this broader role,” Harlow said.

Watson joined the WMU.K. royalties department in 2004 and has held several key roles at the company including Finance Analyst for Rhino U.K., Central Financial Manager and Financial Controller. In 2013, he played a crucial role in integrating the financial operations of Parlophone Records into WMU.K., following the acquisition, and more recently has overseen the development of streaming data insight tools while supporting the budgeting and planning functions for the U.K.