Ellie Goulding sues former managers claiming conflict of interest may have left her out of pocket

Ellie Goulding is suing her former managers amid claims a conflict of interest may have left her out of pocket.

The singer, 39, alleges Ben Mawson and Ed Millett may have failed to secure the most lucrative touring, merchandise and film deals available to her.

Her case is that the pair faced conflicting obligations which restricted their ability to recommend rival companies.

Mawson and Millett, co-founders of TaP Management, represented Ms Goulding from 2018 until 2025 and took a 20 per cent commission, according to the claim.

During that time, she signed agreements covering touring, merchandise and a documentary film with companies in the Live Nation group.

Ms Goulding claims she was not told that TaP’s parent company, HNOE, had first become partially and later entirely owned by Live Nation.

The claim alleges that her managers were contractually ‘restrained’ from engaging in any activity which might ‘terminate or otherwise reduce or diminish [their management clients’] business relationship in any respect with the Company [Live Nation] or any of its affiliates.’

It states that as employees of Live Nation, Mawson and Millett ‘had a personal interest or duty in dealings between Ms. Goulding and companies in the Live Nation group which was in actual or potential conflict with the interests of Ms. Goulding in securing the best commercial terms with whichever promoter, merchandiser or other counterparty it was most advantageous for her to deal with

According to Variety, the filing continues: ‘Mr Mawson and Mr Millett were subject to contractual obligations not to encourage any artist under their management to cease to do business with or reduce the extent of her business with any company in the Live Nation group.’

The legal action requests unspecified ‘equitable compensation and/or damages for their breaches of fiduciary duty.’

Mawson and Millett founded TaP, which has represented artists including Dua Lipa and Lana Del Rey, in 2010.

Mawson is now understood to be representing Duffy as the Welsh singer prepares to return to the spotlight after more than a decade away.

He also worked with David and Victoria Beckham’s youngest son Cruz in 2023, but the pair later parted ways.

Ms Goulding has since returned to Sarah Stennett for management and signed with WME for worldwide representation.

The legal action comes just weeks before Ms Goulding releases her sixth studio album, I Know Too Much, on September 4.