Gatfield's successor?

SHORTLISTED: Those in the know say the real reason behind the firing of Sony Music U.K. Chairman/CEO Nick Gatfield is that his relationship with Simon Cowell—whose Syco label generates a sizable chunk of the company’s revenues—went from bad to untenable. Now, following Gatfield’s abrupt exit stage right, the rumor mongering regarding the identity of his replacement in this key gig has reached a fever pitch. Among those rumored to be at the top of the list of candidates are former head of Warner U.K. Christian Tattersfield, Parlophone’s ranking exec Miles Leonard, Cowell’s right-hand man at Syco Sonny Takhar, Roger Ames (frequently namechecked in guessing games of this nature) and another highly regarded Brit presently holding down a high-profile job. (3/10a)