Ben McOwen Wilson Appointed CEO of PRS for Music. Beyond the private sector, McOwen Wilson has worked with the U.K. government through the Creative Industries Council and the Creative Industries Federation, contributing to discussions on intellectual property, innovation and industry growth. PRS for Music has named former Google and YouTube executive Ben McOwen Wilson as its next chief executive officer, marking a leadership change for the U.K. collecting society as it continues to navigate the evolving music and technology landscape. McOwen Wilson will assume the role on Oct. 12, succeeding Andrea Czapary Martin, who announced in March that she would step down after leading the organization since 2019. PRS said the appointment follows an international search conducted by its Members' Council. Most recently, McOwen Wilson served as managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Google Play, a position he held since 2022. Before that, he spent more than a decade at YouTube, overseeing the platform's business operations across the EMEA region. Earlier in his career, he served as CEO of UEFA New Media and as managing director at British broadcaster ITV. Beyond the private sector, McOwen Wilson has worked with the U.K. government through the Creative Industries Council and the Creative Industries Federation, contributing to discussions on intellectual property, innovation and industry growth. The appointment comes after another record financial year for PRS for Music. In 2025, the organization distributed a record £1.07 billion to songwriters, composers and publishers, a 4.9% increase from the previous year. Royalty collections reached £1.24 billion, marking the second consecutive year PRS distributed more than £1 billion to rightsholders. PRS for Music represents the rights of more than 190,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers. Alongside royalty collection, the society has taken an increasingly active role in advocating for creators on issues such as artificial intelligence and copyright, while also pursuing legal action against Valve Corporation over the alleged unlicensed use of members' music on the Steam platform.

Latest music industry hires: PRS for Music, UMG, frontiers label group, Academy of Country Music, bang & Olufsen. Latest music industry hires: PRS for Music, UMG, frontiers label group, Academy of Country Music, bang & Olufsen dylan smith july 24, 2026. Here's a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of July 24th, 2026. If you have a job shuffle to share, we're all ears. Send us a note to [email protected]. If you'd like to post a job on our Job Board, just send us a request to [email protected]. And, keep track of all the latest music industry hires here. PRS for Music. PRS for Music has officially announced Ben McOwen Wilson as its next CEO; the former Google Play and Television EMEA managing director is expected to take the reins on October 12th. As some will recognize, this appears to represent an accelerated succession timetable. In March, PRS indicated that outgoing CEO Andrea Czapary Martin, her decision to step away having been "reached in agreement with the PRS Members' Council," would depart "at the end of 2026." In a statement, Wilson described PRS' "most urgent priority" as "protecting the integrity and value of human creativity." Additionally, the longtime YouTube higher-up, who until early 2026 also served on the Creative Industries Council, said his "first priority will be to listen and learn." That approach seems wise. On one hand, Martin's roughly seven-year tenure brought significant collections and distributions growth. On the other hand, the period wasn't without challenges for PRS, among them Blur drummer David Rowntree's "black box" lawsuit; a different complaint from songwriters; and related admin-rate criticism from Paul McCartney, Elton John, and Thom Yorke. Meanwhile, Wilson's tech experience is worth keeping in mind amid AI's rise, about which nearly 80% of UK musicians have concerns, per a PRS survey. So is the possibility that the same experience, plus the plans "to listen and learn," may set the stage for a long-overdue music-monitoring overhaul. Universal music group. Former Skechers, Nike, and Timberland exec Tseyin Foo has joined UMG as president, global supply chain. Frontiers label group. Frontiers has welcomed ex-AFM Records team member Timo Hoffmann as head of A&R, Germany. Academy of Country Music. Station Entertainment co-founder Andy Schuon is now the Academy of Country Music's CEO. Bang & Olufsen. Bang & Olufsen has announced John Legend as its global brand ambassador.

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