PPL has appointed Dr Richard James Burgess MBE as its new chair. He will succeed John Smith OBE, effective January 5, 2026.
Burgess will lead the PPL board as the organisation continues to grow its neighbouring rights royalty collections, representing more than 150,000 performer and recording rights-holder members.
Since 2016, Burgess has served 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.
Prior to joining A2IM, Burgess headed up business operations at Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and ran his own independent label, booking agency and management company. He also owned and operated multiple recording studios and managed well-known producers, engineers and artists.
Burgess is also a multi-platinum producer, as well as being a recording artist, including with his own band Landscape, best known for the 1981 hit Einstein A Go-Go. He produced Spandau Ballet’s first two albums, Journeys To Glory and Diamond.
John Smith steps down from the role after nearly a decade guiding PPL’s strategic direction.
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 rights-holder, 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.”
Dr Richard James Burgess 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 rights-holders 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 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.”
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