A select few to transfer as Universal shuts V2's UK office.

V2 managing director bemoans his team's demise as Universal closes label's UK office and wields axe

The overwhelming majority of V2 staff are to lose their jobs, following parent company Universal's decision to close the label's UK office.

Music Week understands that around five members of V2's approximately 45 staff will be transferred to Universal, with the rest facing redundancy. A senior figure at Universal insists, however, that "consultation is ongoing".

It is understood that the select few V2 staff transferring will include CEO Tony Harlow and head of new media and business development Beth Appleton, although it is unclear at present what roles the pair will play.

Music Week also understands that, prior to purchasing V2 in August, Universal approached a number of key V2 staff in an attempt to lure them to the major.

Managing director David Steele will be among those made redundant, as will members of the team that worked on the chart-topping campaign for Stereophonics' current Pull The Pin album, including senior marketing manager Claire Moon.

Steele confirms that only a "small percentage" of V2 staff will transfer to Universal. "It's generally pretty much closing the whole operation down," he says.