Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE has been named as the new chair of UK music rights organization PPL, effective January 5, 2026.
Burgess succeeds John Smith OBE, who will be stepping down after nearly a decade leading the board.
The appointment comes as Burgess is slated to step down as President and CEO of The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) by the end of the year. He has served in the roles since 2016, while also holding board positions at US digital royalties collective rights organization SoundExchange, WIN (Worldwide Independent Network), Copyright Alliance, and musicFIRST.
Before joining A2IM, Burgess ran business operations at Smithsonian Folkways Recordings and operated his own independent label, booking agency and management company. He owned and ran recording studios and managed producers, engineers and artists. As a producer, he worked on Spandau Ballet’s first two albums, Journeys to Glory and Diamond. He also recorded as an artist with his band Landscape, which had a hit in 1981 with Einstein a Go-Go.
At PPL, Burgess will lead an organization that collects neighboring rights royalties for over 150,000 performers and recording rightsholders.
Commenting on the appointment, PPL CEO Peter Leathem OBE 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.”
“[Burgess] 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.”
Peter Leathem OBE, PPL
Added Leathem:“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.”
Smith is leaving the chair role after helping PPL expand. During his tenure, the organization established PPL PRS Ltd., a joint venture with PRS for Music for public performance licensing in the UK. PPL also expanded its international collections business under his watch.
Smith said: “It has been remarkable to witness PPL’s growth over the three decades I have been involved with the organization. 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.”
“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.”
John Smith OBE, PPL
Added Smith: “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.
Smith currently serves as President of the International Federation of Musicians, representing musicians in discussions with UNESCO, WIPO, and European Union institutions. He has also held board positions at UK Music, the British Copyright Council and the Educational Recording Agency.
Leathem said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working alongside him, and his presence around the board table will certainly be missed.”
Burgess also commented on his appointment saying: “I am thrilled to be joining PPL and honored 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.”
“I look forward to bringing my passion for championing artist-centric governance, transparency and diversity to such a wonderful organization.”
Richard James Burgess
Added Burgess: “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 organization.”
The leadership change comes as music royalty collection has become more challenging in the digital streaming age. PPL collects money when recorded music is played in public or broadcast, then distributes those royalties to performers and record companies. The organization has more than 110 agreements in place with other CMOs.
Last year, PPL recorded the highest revenue in its 90-year history. Revenue for 2024 rose 6% YoY to GBP £301 million (USD $384.4 million at the average exchange rate for 2024) from the previous record of £283.5 million ($352.6 million) set in 2023.
In 2024, PPL distributed payments to over 172,000 performers and recording rightsholders, with 19,300 receiving royalties through PPL or indirectly through other CMOs for the first time.
Most recently in Q2 2025, PPL paid out £96.7 million (approx. $129 million at current exchange rates) to 139,000 performers and recording rightsholders. The payouts fell 7% from the £103.7 million ($142m) paid in Q2 2024.
Burgess’ appointment comes four months after PPL appointed Melanie Johnson as Director of Transformation, a newly created role within the CEO’s Executive Leadership Team. Johnson’s career spanned senior roles at Audoo, Utopia Music, Facebook, and Sony/EMI Music Publishing.
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