Desmond To Head LN UK?

Irish promoter Denis Desmond has reportedly been tapped to head Live Nation UK, with Paul Latham named chief operating officer following the recent departure of former COO John Probyn.
Denis Desmond (with walking stick) and London agent Carl Leighton-Pope take a breather as they pass another milestone on their long walk for charity in June 2012.

Desmond will take the title of chairman of promotions UK/Ireland, according to ILMC’s IQ Magazine, which broke the story.

A Live Nation representative told Pollstar the company had no comment but acknowledged its longstanding relationship with Desmond through the LN-Gaiety Holdings joint venture. 

According to IQ, Latham will report to Desmond.

Desmond runs MCD Productions in Ireland, known for major festivals including Oxegen.

As part of the management reshuffle at LN UK, Festival Republic chief Melvin Benn will be “playing a more central role in Live Nation UK’s festival arm,” according to IQ. Live Nation owns a majority stake in Festival Republic.