Singer Ellie Goulding has filed a lawsuit against her former managers, Ben Mawson and Ed Millett, alleging a conflict of interest that she claims may have resulted in financial losses. Goulding, 39, asserts that her managers, co-founders of TaP Management, may have failed to secure the most lucrative deals for her regarding touring, merchandise, and film projects.
According to the claim, Mawson and Millett managed Goulding from 2018 until 2025, taking a 20% commission. During this period, Goulding entered into agreements for touring, merchandise, and a documentary film with companies within the Live Nation group. She alleges that she was not informed that TaP Management's parent company, HNOE, had become partially and later entirely owned by Live Nation.
The lawsuit contends that the managers were contractually bound by obligations that restricted their ability to recommend rival companies. As employees of Live Nation, Mawson and Millett allegedly had a personal interest or duty in dealings between Goulding and Live Nation's affiliated companies, which was in potential conflict with Goulding's interest in securing the best commercial terms.
Goulding is seeking unspecified equitable compensation and/or damages for alleged breaches of fiduciary duty. TaP Management, founded in 2010, has also represented artists such as Dua Lipa and Lana Del Rey. Mawson is reportedly now managing Duffy and previously worked with Cruz Beckham.
Goulding has since switched management to Sarah Stennett and secured worldwide representation with WME. This legal action comes weeks before the release of her sixth studio album, "I Know Too Much," on September 4. The album's latest single, "4 Seasons," reportedly touches on her relationship with actor Beau Minniear, the father of her daughter.