Ellie Goulding has launched legal action against her former managers over TaP Management’s undisclosed ties to Live Nation. The singer alleges those connections created conflicts that could have affected her career and commercial interests.
Goulding worked with Ben Mawson and Ed Millet from 2018 through 2025. She claims the pair collected 20% commissions while overseeing several Live Nation-related agreements.
Ellie Goulding alleges Ben Mawson and Ed Millet failed to disclose TaP Management’s ownership ties to Live Nation
According to Variety, Goulding claims TaP’s parent company, HNOE, had ties to Live Nation. She alleges her managers failed to disclose those ownership interests during their professional relationship.
Live Nation acquired 50.1% of HNOE in 2015. The company completed its acquisition four years later, according to Goulding’s legal claim.
The claim states that Live Nation maintained “direct or indirect control of HNOE” after the 2015 acquisition. Goulding also alleges that Live Nation received dividends through its subsidiaries.
Mawson became HNOE’s CEO after the full acquisition. The claim states that Mawson and Millet reported directly to someone designated by Live Nation’s chief executive.
Goulding also pointed to contractual restrictions affecting her former managers. Those agreements allegedly prevented them from encouraging artists to reduce business with Live Nation.
The claim states that Mawson and Millet “had a personal interest or duty” in Goulding’s dealings with Live Nation companies. Goulding argued that those interests could conflict with her pursuit of better commercial terms.
During their management tenure, Goulding signed agreements with Live Nation companies covering touring and merchandise. She also entered into a deal involving a documentary film.
The singer alleges her managers faced contractual obligations that could influence those negotiations. Her lawsuit seeks unspecified “equitable compensation and/or damages for their breaches of fiduciary duty.”
Representatives for Mawson and Millet did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment. The allegations remain claims, and the defendants have not publicly addressed them.
Goulding has since returned to Sarah Stennett for management. She also signed with WME for worldwide representation.
The legal fight arrived as Goulding prepared for another major career move. Her sixth studio album, I Know Too Much, was scheduled for release on September 4.
The Ellie Goulding lawsuit could now put her former management relationship under sharper industry scrutiny.
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