PPL has appointed Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE as its new Chair. He will succeed John Smith OBE, effective 5 January 2026.
Burgess will lead the PPL Board as the organisation continues to grow as a global leader in neighbouring rights royalty collections, representing over 150,000 performer and recording rightsholder members.
Burgess brings rich and varied experience to the role, having worked extensively across the UK and international music industries. Since 2016, he has served as President and CEO of A2IM (American Association of Independent Music), while also holding board positions with SoundExchange (the US digital royalties collective rights organisation), WIN (Worldwide Independent Network), Copyright Alliance, and musicFIRST (a US coalition advocating for recorded music creators’ neighbouring rights), among others.
Prior to joining A2IM, Burgess headed up business operations at Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, ran his own independent label, booking agency and management company; owned and operated multiple recording studios; and managed many well-known producers, engineers and artists. He is also a multi-platinum producer and hit recording artist, including success with his own band Landscape, best known for the 1981 hit ‘Einstein a Go-Go’, and producing Spandau Ballet’s first two albums, ‘Journeys to Glory’ and ‘Diamond’.
John Smith OBE steps down from the role after nearly a decade guiding PPL’s strategic direction.
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Smith began his career as Principal Tuba with the English National Opera Orchestra, later becoming General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union and serving in a number of senior international representative roles. He is President of the International Federation of Musicians, representing musicians worldwide in discussions with UNESCO, WIPO, and the European Parliament and Commission, and has also held board positions at UK Music, the British Copyright Council and the Educational Recording Agency.
Peter Leathem OBE, CEO, PPL said: “The Board and I are very happy to welcome Richard to PPL. He brings a strong vision, a track record of balancing innovation with institutional stability, and deep personal experience across many of the roles our members hold – from performer to recording rightsholder, producer to label owner. 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.
I would like to thank John wholeheartedly for his unwavering commitment and support to PPL in his last ten years as Chair, and for the decades he has been involved with us prior to that. I have thoroughly enjoyed working alongside him, and his presence around the board table will certainly be missed.”
Commenting on the appointment, Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE said: “I am thrilled to be joining PPL and honoured to follow in John Smith’s footsteps. Together with the Board and leadership team, I look forward to guiding the next chapter of its growth and ensuring its continued strength and relevance in today’s rapidly evolving global music ecosystem. PPL’s mission to make sure that performers and recording rightsholders are fairly rewarded has long resonated with my own career trajectory, and I look forward to bringing my passion for championing artist-centric governance, transparency and diversity to such a wonderful organisation.”
John Smith OBE said: “It has been remarkable to witness PPL’s growth over the three decades I have been involved with the organisation. 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 rightsholders has increased. During my decade as Chair, the team has delivered substantial and successful changes to PPL’s business operations, such as setting up the UK joint public performance licensing venture with PRS for Music, PPL PRS Ltd, and becoming a competitive force in international collections. It has been a privilege to lead the Board and work closely with the management team to deliver such important returns for our members. I know I am leaving the role in safe hands with Richard, and I look forward to remaining a passionate advocate and supporter of the work done by PPL for many years to come.”
