Warner Bros British MD goes

Warner Brothers, Britain's third-biggest record label, is parting ways with its managing director.

Korda Marshall, who has been MD in the UK since 2003, has quit to pursue "a fresh challenge".

General manager Adam Hollywood and head of A&R Rose Noone are also expected to leave.

Both Warner Brothers and EMI, owned private-equity firm Terra Firma, have been struggling to hold market share as bigger rivals Universal and Sony/BMG have dominated UK music sales in recent months.

Music industry insiders suggest the upheaval at Warner Brothers UK is connected to the appointment in New York of former rap music impresario Lyor Cohen as CEO of Warner Recorded Music, covering the US and UK.

A spokesman for John Reid, chairman of Warner Music Europe, said: "We have in place an exciting plan for the new leadership of Warner Brothers Records UK.

"It would build the roster and strengthen the company's position as a standalone label."