PPL Names Richard James Burgess New Chair to Lead Strategic Direction

U.K. collection society PPL is gearing up to enter a new chapter under the leadership of Dr. Richard James Burgess.

Industry veteran Burgess will assume the role of PPL’s new chair (effective Jan. 5), succeeding John Smith OBE, who steps down from the organisation after nearly a decade. 

Before joining PPL, Burgess spent nine years serving as president and CEO of A2IM (American Association of Independent Music), while also holding board positions with SoundExchange, WIN (Worldwide Independent Network), Copyright Alliance and musicFIRST, among others.

He also ran business operations at Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and has experience running an independent label, booking agency and management company, as well as being a producer, including for pop group Spandau Ballet’s first two studio albums. Burgess also enjoyed modest success with his own band Landscape, known for 1981’s “Einstein a Go-Go.”

In a press release, CEO Peter Leatham said that the appointment will bring a “strong vision” to PPL, adding that Burgess has “track record of balancing innovation with institutional stability” along with “deep personal experience” across the roles the organisation’s members hold. 

“I am confident he will be a huge asset to the Board and the company as we pursue our ambition of being the first choice globally for neighbouring rights royalty collections,” Leatham added.

Burgess said that he was “honoured” to follow in Smith’s footsteps and to be “guiding the next chapter of PPL’s growth” as the business looks to expand. “PPL’s mission to make sure that performers and recording rightsholders are fairly rewarded has long resonated with my own career trajectory,” he continued. “I look forward to bringing my passion for championing artist-centric governance, transparency and diversity to such a wonderful organisation.”

During his tenure, Smith expanded PPL’s collections business on an international scale. He also worked to establish PPL PRS Ltd. in the U.K., a joint venture with PRS for Music for public performance licensing.

“It has been remarkable to witness PPL’s growth over the three decades I have been involved with the organization,” Smith said. “One of my proudest achievements has been bringing performers into the company and helping to form the modern PPL of the 21st century, as the importance of neighbouring rights income to performers and recording rights holders has increased.”

PPL is the global leader in rights royalty collections, representing over 150,000 performers and recording rightsholders The organisation says they have distributed over £1.25 billion ($1.67 billion) to its members over the past five years.