MTV's Caring in the hot seat following departure of Irvine. (News).

MTV Networks UK has moved quickly to replace head of talent and artist relations Stephen Irvine, who has quit the music channel after more than five years.

Irvine was the main contact between all MTV's channels and record labels and he has left suddenly after agreeing to a private severance package. He is succeeded by MTV Networks Europe label director Jamie Caring, who takes over the role officially on May 13.

Irvine originally joined MTV in 1996 as head of product marketing and became head of talent and artist relations for VH1 UK when the company's marketing operation was regionalised in 1998. His responsibilities were extended across MTV Networks UK in July 1999.

He says the time was right to go. "It took me a while to get to the point where I actually wanted to leave, but there was no scope for me to go any further at MTV," he says. "I had discussions with the management nine months ago when I disagreed with things that were happening and at Christmas I decided I would leave this year and take some time out to think about what I really wanted to do. I hope to return to a career in artist management."

His replacement, Caring, has been with MTV for eight years and as label director was ...