Universal Music Group International’s Max Hole is stepping down immediately as chairman and chief executive due to health reasons.

He has suffered some memory loss after contracting encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, earlier this year, Santa Monica’s Universal Music Group announced.

“I have loved working at Universal, the best record company in the world,” Hole said in a statement. During his 16 years with the company he worked with artists such as Tori Amos, Simply Red and Pretenders.

Following his departure to focus on recovery, the company’s regional heads outside the U.S. will now report directly to Lucian Grainge, Universal Music Group’s chairman and chief executive.

“Max Hole is one of the most talented and accomplished executives to have ever worked in the music business,” Grainge said in a statement.