Universal Music Australia and New Zealand has announced a leadership transition, with longtime Universal Music New Zealand managing director and chairman, Adam Holt, set to retire on April 30, 2025. Holt has led the company for 24 years and spent a total of 34 years with Universal Music Group and its predecessor, Polygram.
Following his departure, Myra Hemara and Matt Kidd will step into the roles of co-managing directors, effective May 1, 2025. They will report directly to Sean Warner, president and CEO of Universal Music Australia & New Zealand.
Universal Music Australia & New Zealand President and CEO, Sean Warner
Internal promotions
Hemara has been with UMNZ since 2006, playing a key role in establishing the company’s digital strategy. She was appointed general manager in 2017, expanding her focus to include international artist marketing and audience development.
Speaking about her new role, Hemara said that “being given this opportunity to lead Universal Music New Zealand alongside Matt is a great privilege and honour”.
She continued: “The legacy Adam has created for our artists and staff has provided an incredible foundation for Matt and I to build on”.
Kidd, who has been with the company for 12 years, started in promotions and public relations before leading UMNZ’s domestic repertoire and business development teams. Since 2017, he has been focused on expanding New Zealand talent to global audiences.
Kidd thanked Warner for “giving Myra and I the opportunity to lead this great company”.
“It’s exciting to take on this new role at a thrilling point in the business, where the landscape and scope for how we can work with and develop our artists is changing dramatically,” Kidd said.
Company commitment
Warner acknowledged Holt’s contributions to the company and the wider New Zealand music industry, highlighting his tenure in shaping both internal culture and artist relations.
“Adam’s commitment to our company, our artists, our people, and the greater New Zealand music industry has been nothing short of exemplary. Throughout his tenure he consistently promoted a positive culture of both UMNZ and UMA garnering him enormous respect from both employees and artists alike.
“Adam is a passionate music man, caring mentor and consummate professional, who led from the front and made lifelong friends across the UMG, the artist community artists and with our partners around the world,” Warner said.
Speaking about his future Holt said: “Leading the New Zealand company for UMG has been the experience of my life. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved and the challenges we have successfully navigated over the years, but it’s time for me and the company to start the next chapter.
“A big thank you to Sir Lucian Grainge and Sean for trusting me with UMNZ for so long, and a huge thank you to the entire Universal Music team across New Zealand and Australia. You are an amazing group of people and I will miss you immensely. Most importantly, thank you to all the artists I have had the honour to serve in my time at Universal. I remain in complete awe of you all,” Holt said.