Award-winning singer songwriter and composer Michelle Escoffery has been appointed the President of PRS Members’ Council.
Escoffery, who was recently inducted into the Music Week Women in Music 2020 Roll of Honour, joined the PRS Board as a writer director in 2018. She succeeded Imogen Heap.
Michelle will also continue her tenure on PRS Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Over the years, Escoffery has penned songs for acts including Tina Turner, All Saints, Beverley Knight and Artful Dodger, worked on vocal arrangements for Rod Stewart and performed with Stevie Wonder and George Michael.
The Liberty X song Just A Little won Michelle the Ivor Novello Award for PRS Most Performed Work in 2002. It was also chosen as part of PRS for Music’s Songs Of A Century, a selection of the Top 100 British songs from the last century.
As President, Escoffery will be a voice and advocate for PRS for Music’s songwriter, composer and publisher community. She will also help to ensure that an open dialogue on diversity and inclusion continues, to increase representation at every level across the business and to improve access and equity throughout PRS for Music’s membership.
Composer and Members’ Council Writer Director, Dru Masters, has also been appointed as Deputy Chair of the PRS Members’ Council, supporting the President of the PRS Members’ Council.
Masters is an award-winning composer behind some of the UK’s most successful drama and factual shows, including international Emmy-winning, Capital, BAFTA-winning Damilola, Our Loved Boy and the BBC’s multi-award-winning drama Silk. He also produces records for an eclectic mix of international artists.
Michelle Escoffery, President, PRS Members’ Council, said: ‘It is a true honour to be appointed as President of the PRS Members’ Council. As President, I will work to solidify relationships between our membership and the Members’ Council, bring more relevance to younger writers and further develop a rich culture of diversity on all levels, reflecting our membership from the top down.’
Andrea C. Martin, CEO, PRS for Music, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Michelle Escoffery into her new role as President of the PRS Members’ Council. The governance changes introduced last year are an essential part of PRS’ evolution and to its future success, placing members at the centre of everything we do. The President role will ensure that PRS for Music remains world-leading, providing the essential services which our members rely upon, now and far into the future.’
Nigel Elderton, Chair, PRS Members’ Council, said: ‘Michelle has played an important role as a Writer Director of the PRS Members’ Council in recent years and her advocacy for music creators of all statures, genres and backgrounds is well known. As such her appointment as our new PRS President is greatly deserved. Michelle’s knowledge and understanding of our industry particularly as a successful songwriter will enable us to better engage with our members and build towards an increasingly diverse and inclusive PRS for Music.’
Dru Masters, Deputy Chair, PRS Members’ Council, said: ‘The music industry never stands still, and with Michelle as President, we are well placed to capitalise on new opportunities and ways of working, to ensure our members are getting the best experience and support possible.’
