Ben McOwen Wilson named new CEO of the UK's PRS for Music. July 24, 2026 PRS for Music has appointed Ben McOwen Wilson as its new Chief Executive Officer. The Google and YouTube executive will take up the role at the UK collection society on October 12. He succeeds Andrea Czapary Martin, who announced in March that she would step down as CEO after joining the society in 2019. McOwen Wilson was selected by the PRS Members' Council following an international search, the society said on Friday (July 24). Most recently, McOwen Wilson served as Managing Director, EMEA for Google Play, a role he took up in September 2022. Before that, he spent more than a decade at YouTube, leading the platform's business across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Earlier in his career, McOwen Wilson was CEO of UEFA New Media and a managing director at UK broadcaster ITV. He has also worked with the UK government through the Creative Industries Council and the Creative Industries Federation on issues including intellectual property, innovation and growth. Commenting on the appointment, Julian Nott, Chair of the PRS Members' Council, said: "Songwriters, composers and publishers need a society working tirelessly to champion them and their rights. A society which embraces innovation and has the confidence to shape the future, not simply respond to it." Added Nott: "Ben is an outstanding leader with all the skills necessary to guide PRS for Music through the many changes in the music industry and the wider media market. "Ben impressed us from the very beginning. He understands the technologies that are transforming the creative industries, but he also understands that innovation only succeeds if it works for the creators. We are confident that he will champion members' interests at home and around the world, leading us boldly into the next phase of our evolution." "Ben is an outstanding leader with all the skills necessary to guide PRS for Music through the many changes in the music industry and the wider media market." Julian Nott, PRS Members' Council McOwen Wilson said: "PRS for Music is built on trust, transparency, and a relentless commitment to its members. It is a privilege to lead this organization at a time when the voice of the creator must be louder than ever." "In the age of AI and accelerated digital distribution, protecting the integrity and value of human creativity is our most urgent priority." "My focus will be on ensuring PRS serves as a catalyst for our members' success, ensuring they remain at the centre of a sustainable and growing global music ecosystem," he added. "My focus will be on ensuring PRS serves as a catalyst for our members' success, ensuring they remain at the centre of a sustainable and growing global music ecosystem." Ben McOwen Wilson "My first priority will be to listen and learn," McOwen Wilson said. "To understand the needs of members, customers, and partners, and with them shape an ambitious future for the society." PRS for Music paid out a record £1.07 billion ($1.41 billion) to songwriters, composers and publishers in 2025, up 4.9% year-on-year. The figures marked the second consecutive year that PRS distributed more than £1 billion to rightsholders, with royalty collections reaching £1.24 billion. The society now represents the rights of more than 190,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers. PRS has said it continues to advocate for creators' rights in areas including AI, and has engaged with the UK government on legislation. The society launched legal proceedings against Valve Corporation in March, alleging that its Steam platform has made members' music available without a license since 2003.Music Business Worldwide

The British Music Embassy announces two-night UK music showcase at SXSW London 2026. The British Music Embassy (BME) today announces a two-night music showcase at SXSW London 2026, taking place at Devonshire Square (DSQ) from 7-11pm on Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd June 2026. The British Music Embassy in London is a collaboration between the Department for Business & Trade (DBT), music licensing companies PPL and PRS for Music, UK record labels association the BPI (British Phonographic Industry), the British Council, the UK's leading charitable funder of new music PRS Foundation, collective voice of the industry UK Music, and the Northern Music Export Office. As part of SXSW London 2026, the BME will once again take over DSQ, a multi-purpose venue a two-minute walk from Liverpool Street Station, to spotlight some of the leading musical talent in the UK, with multiple showcases taking place over two nights. The BME SXSW London 2026 line-up includes: Tuesday 2 June 2026 * Nadine Shah * Michael Aldag * Venus Grrrls * Young Rebel Set Wednesday 3 June 2026 * Future Utopia * CQ Wrestling * Precious Pepala * Daytime TV The showcases will be open to SXSW London badge-holders and music festival pass-holders. Now in its 19th year, the BME has become a mainstay at SXSW in Austin and one of the conference's most popular music destinations, having hosted shows for over 700 UK acts since 2008. BME stages have welcomed some of the UK's most celebrated acts, including the likes ofOlivia Dean, Sam Fender, Little Simz, Jungle, The 1975 and many more. Production Park will once again deliver the production, ensuring artists benefit from world class stage production and design, alongside partners including Creative Technology, Allen & Heath, the Academy of Live Technology, Elation Lighting, TAIT, Subfrantic, DPA, Austrian Audio, Wisycom, Marshall, Natal and dbTechnologies, who will be providing the PA system. The Northern Music Export Office will officially launch at the British Music Embassy on Tuesday 2 June, with Radio 1's Maia Beth hosting a dedicated panel on the initiative from 5:30-6:30pm. Joined by Generator and the four Northern Mayors, the panel will explore how regional collaboration, export and cultural investment are reshaping the future of the UK music industry beyond London. BME will form part of UK House (1-4 June), bringing together boundary-pushing creatives, technologists and business leaders to spark ideas, meaningful connections and shape the future of the creative economy. Sign up here to receive the latest updates and registration details. Trade Minister Chris Bryant said: "As SXSW London demonstrates UK music artists are the envy of the world. "That's why we are increasing funding to the British Music Embassy and continuing to invest in schemes like the Music Export Growth Scheme and International Showcase Fund which will help the next generation of British artists reach new markets, drive exports and ensure the UK's global leadership in music endures." Peter Leathem OBE, CEO of PPL said: "The British Music Embassy has long played a pivotal role in introducing UK talent to global audiences, and its return as part of SXSW London underlines how important these showcases are for the next wave of artists. Supporting performers is core to our mission, and PPL is proud to partner on a programme that puts emerging artists front and centre at key moments in their careers." Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of BPI said: "The British Music Embassy has become an important and much-anticipated feature of SXSW events in providing a key launchpad for British artists connecting with and growing their global audiences. The BME was one of the highlights of last year's inaugural SXSW London, and it's wonderful that it's now returning for a second year to underline the breadth of diverse talent that, supported by record labels, can be found across the UK as a new generation breaks through." Joel Mills, Director, Music, British Council said: "Through our ongoing partnership with British Music Embassy and UK House, we're creating powerful opportunities for building strong networks, supporting UK talent, and shaping business development opportunities. SXSW London is proving a landmark moment in the global creative calendar for cultural exchange, and we're proud to play our part in making that happen." Andrea Czapary Martin, CEO, PRS for Music said: "Live music plays a vital role in how music creators connect with audiences, how new voices are discovered, and how careers gain momentum. With nearly 40,000 PRS members earning royalties from live performances last year, it is clear that live showcase opportunities play a crucial role in elevating UK talent to break into new markets, both at home and on the global stage." Joe Frankland, CEO, PRS Foundation said: "We're delighted to see the British Music Embassy returning to the UK for this year's SXSW London. As in Austin, the BME is a key hub at the festival for many UK-based artists, including those that have received PRS Foundation support, to showcase their talent to international delegates and audiences. We're looking forward to SXSW London bringing international and domestic opportunities for artists and music creators, and we will be facilitating connections and amplifying talented grantees via our UK Sounds site." UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said: "Our sector contributes £8 billion a year to the economy, generates £4.8 billion in export revenues and supports 220,000 jobs - but is facing intense competition from international markets more than ever. The British Music Embassy has a vital role to play as fantastic global showcase to help the UK's incredibly diverse musical industry grow at home and abroad. I'm confident this year's SXSW London will build on its inaugural success last year by promoting our unbeatable musical talent and our brilliant music businesses, as well as helping launch more international careers." Mick Ross, CEO, Generator / Northern Music Export Office said: "Music from the North has always had global influence, but the infrastructure around it hasn't always matched the scale of the talent. The Northern Music Export Office is about changing that - opening up direct international opportunities for artists, businesses and music professionals across the North, and making sure the regions shaping culture are properly connected to the global industry. Launching at SXSW London alongside the British Music Embassy feels incredibly significant. The BME has helped platform globally recognised artists for decades, and Northern Sound is a chance to showcase the breadth, ambition and quality of music coming out of the North right now - while sending a clear message that the future of the UK music industry will be built far beyond London."

PRS Members Council elections and AGM 2026. The Performing Right Society today announced the appointment of new Directors to its Members' Council at its Annual General Meeting (AGM), with a strong representation from composers working across film, television and streaming. Dobs Vye is a composer best known for television scoring and creating title themes for more than two hundred TV formats across major UK broadcasters including Mitchell & Webb Are Not Helping, Time Is Money, Win Win and The Travel Show. Multi instrumentalist, lyricist, and hit songwriter Emily Phillips is known for top 10 records on both sides of the Atlantic and has three Platinum albums in the UK. She has collaborated with artists ranging from Sigrid to Rizzle Kicks and Connie Talbot to Soak and is currently working on a gospel/hip hop musical with Future Cut, commissioned by Broadway producer Ken Davenport. Composer Simon Anderson's media works have been placed in TV commercials, feature films, trailers and TV shows, underpinning his leadership in music publishing as SVP of Global Publishing at Audio Network. Ross Greening, EVP, Global Administration of Universal Music Publishing, was appointed as a Designated Publisher Council Member. Julian Nott, Chair of the PRS Members' Council said: "PRS belongs to the songwriters, composers and publishers it represents. In a world where there is greater competition for eyes and ears than ever before, the Members' Council is vital in putting members' voices first and ensuring the society continues to adapt and evolve to meet creators' needs, now and in the future. I welcome Dobs, Emily, Simon, and Ross and look forward to their expertise and input over the coming years." Speeches highlighted future investment commitments, including investing in products and services for members, increasing the capacity within member support teams and redesigning core distribution systems to manage the ever-increasing volumes of data and accelerate more payments from quarterly to monthly. Andrea Czapary Martin, CEO, PRS for Music said: "As we look to the future, it's clear that the opportunities for creators are expanding. Our role is to make sure the system continues to work for them so that as the industry grows, the value flows back to the people who create the music. They have a right to be rewarded for their contribution, for their creativity to be protected and encouraged and to know that those who look after their rights do so with comparable energy and innovation." This year's AGM also marks the final year of Andrea Martin's tenure as CEO, following a period of sustained growth and transformation at PRS. The organisation will begin the process of identifying its next CEO, with a focus on continuing to deliver for members in an increasingly global and digital music landscape. Julian Nott highlighted her 'bold commitment to transform PRS into a billion-pound society in just five years', and thanked Jackie Alway, V V Brown, Laura Mvula and John Truelove who have stepped down from the PRS Members' Council. PRS for Music paid out £1.07bn to rightsholders in 2025, with royalties flowing across 7.8m works - a 41% rise since 2020 driven by growth in live, streaming and international markets. Total collections reached £1.24bn, with record live revenues (£101.4m), strong public performance (£313.4m) and £447.2m in online royalties, including an 11.8% rise in streaming. PRS for Music also maintained a cost-to-income ratio below 10% for the fourth consecutive year. In 2025, the ratio improved to 8.1% from 9.9% the previous year, reinforcing the organisation's efficiency and showing that targeted investment in technology is delivering value for members.