Pop singer Ellie Goulding has launched legal action against her former managers, alleging they failed to secure lucrative deals due to a conflict of interest.
The 39-year-old music star claims Ben Mawson and Ed Millett had conflicting commitments that restricted their ability to negotiate competitive terms with rival companies.
Mawson and Millett, who co-founded TaP Management, represented Goulding from 2018 until 2025. According to the lawsuit, the pair collected a 20 percent commission on her earnings throughout that seven-year period.
Alleged conflict of interest
During the period she was managed by the pair, Goulding signed major agreements for concert tours, commercial merchandise, and a documentary project with companies belonging to the Live Nation group.
The lawsuit states that Goulding was never informed that TaP Management's parent company, HNOE, was initially partially owned and later fully acquired by Live Nation.
Court filings show her former managers were contractually bound not to take any action that could terminate, reduce, or limit their clients' business relationships with Live Nation or its corporate affiliates.
The legal claim also alleges that Mawson and Millett were prohibited by their contracts from encouraging any artist under their management to break off or restrict cooperation with any Live Nation company.
Legal claims and damages
As employees of Live Nation, Mawson and Millett held a personal interest or obligation in transactions between Goulding and Live Nation entities, according to the court filing.
The lawsuit maintains that this position created an actual or potential conflict with Goulding's financial interest in securing the best possible commercial terms from whichever promoter, company, or third party proved most advantageous to her.
Goulding is seeking unspecified reasonable compensation and damages for breach of duties from her former management team.
Industry background
Ellie Goulding is an English singer and songwriter who rose to fame following the release of her debut studio album in 2010. Over her career, she has achieved multiple number-one singles and international chart success.
TaP Management is a global music management company that has represented high-profile pop artists in the music industry. Live Nation Entertainment is a major American entertainment company focused on live music promotion, ticketing, and venue operations worldwide.
