Wednesday 24th March 2010
PRS FOR MUSIC ANNOUNCES NEW ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE TO SAFEGUARD FUTURE SUCCESS
As part of an operational review led by new Chief Executive Robert Ashcroft, PRS for Music has announced a new structure for the collecting society. The changes will ensure that PRS for Music is fit for the future music world and able to be a more agile organisation, continuing its work supporting songwriters, composers and music publishers and protecting the value of creative content.
At the heart of the new organisation will be two divisions: Licensing, focused on generating revenue and Operations, focused on distributing back to the members at minimum cost. Licensing will be led by Jeremy Fabinyi (former Managing Director Recorded Media and Acting Chief Executive) and will deliver all types of music licensing – television, radio and online, recorded media, public performance and international. The Operations division will be led by Niall Stirling (current Managing Director, Professional Services) and will manage all operational functions including information systems, member services and copyright & distribution operations.
The two new divisions will report directly into Chief Executive Robert Ashcroft, as will each of the professional service functions: Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Communications, Corporate Planning and Finance. These functions will be led respectively by Amanda Heath (Human Resources), Debbie Stones (Legal), Emma Inston (Marketing & Communications), Mark Lawrence (Corporate Planning) and Finance by a new Director to be appointed.
In addition, Membership Development will now sit within Marketing & Communications in order to allow key members to engage more effectively supporting our defence of copyright. Research will also sit within Marketing & Communications supporting the development of business propositions and industry analysis.
Robert Ashcroft, PRS for Music Chief Executive said “We have a great opportunity here to streamline our business and ensure that it is fit for purpose for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. At the heart of our business are our customers and members, and they require an efficient and effective organisation that both recognises the value of their creative talent and the need for cost-effective and simple licensing.”
The re-organisation means that Jo Prowse (Managing Director Membership & Operations) and Andrew Shaw (Managing Director Broadcast, Online & Recorded Media) will leave the business with immediate effect.
Robert Ashcroft added “Both Jo and Andrew have made an incredible contribution to PRS for Music during their respective times here. It is always difficult to lose good people and I, the boards and the wider team all thank them for their hard work and contribution to the business.”
ENDS
For more information, get in touch:
Barney Hooper, Head of PR:
barney.hooper@prsformusic.com
02073064548 / 07979 757052
Nicola Formoy, Media Relations Manager:
nicola.formoy@prsformusic.com
02073064229 / 07535700965
PRS for Music:
PRS for Music represents 65,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in the UK. As a not-for-profit organisation it ensures creators are paid whenever their music is played, performed or reproduced; championing the importance of copyright to protect and support the UK music industry. The UK has a proud tradition of creating wonderful music that is enjoyed the world over and PRS for Music has been supporting the creators of that music since 1914.
PRS for Music provides business and community groups with easy access to over 10m songs through its music licences. In an industry worth £3.6bn PRS for Music is uniquely placed to be a voice for music and can provide data and comment for all aspects of the business: live, broadcast, sales, online, touring and music creation and up to date analysis, research and trends about the industry.
www.prsformusic.com