The Music Publishers Association Group (MPA Group) has announced the appointment of Long Term Music’s Paulette Long OBE, and Rachel Lindley of Oxford University Press, as the new chairs of MPA and PMLL (Printed Music Licensing Ltd) respectively. They join Jackie Alway OBE of Universal Music Publishing Group, current MCPS chair, as chairs across all three MPA Group Companies.
Utopia Music’s Roberto Neri and Faber Music’s Richard King retire from their roles as MPA and PMLL chairs, having served three and 10 years.
Paulette Long OBE has 38 years’ experience within music publishing and the wider music industry. She has worked as a publisher, consultant and Director, and has served as a board director of the MPA and PRS for Music. Paulette has also included in Music Week’s Women in Music Roll of Honour, amongst many other accolades. Rachel Lindley is an experienced music, education and publishing professional, specialising in the digital, printed music publishing and education sectors. She has served on the MPA, PMLL and Youth Music Boards.
Paul Clements, chief executive officer of MPA, says: ‘I very much look forward to furthering our organisation's work with Paulette, Jackie and Rachel at the helm, while I warmly thank Roberto and Richard for their dedication and incredibly hard work on behalf of our members, while supporting my team and I throughout their service as Chairs.’
Paulette Long OBE, incoming Chair, MPA says: ‘I'm really pleased to be taking on this role as Chair of the MPA. I would like to express my thanks to my predecessor Roberto Neri for his vision, hard work and entrepreneurial style during his time as Chair. I look forward to working with the Board and the entire MPA team, along with the MPA Publisher Members as we work towards creating a more dynamic organisation and a stronger, more balanced industry.’
Rachel Lindley, incoming chair of PMLL says: ‘I am delighted to step into my new role as Chair of PMLL. To witness the success and growth of PMLL over the past few years has been incredibly exciting and I thank and congratulate Richard King on his dedication to his role as Chair over the past ten years.’
Roberto Neri, retiring chair, MPA says: ‘It has been the biggest honour to serve as Chair of the MPA and to represent the UK’s stellar music publishing community. I could not be happier to pass the baton to the amazing Paulette and to see the MPAs reinforced commitment to diversity and inclusion. I have no doubt that Paulette will continue the MPA’s meaningful work towards ensuring the publishing sector is truly advocated for and represented. Given my role as Chief Operating Officer at Utopia Music, I have also made the decision to step down from the board to ensure neutrality, as we continue to serve all parts of the music industry equally and work with all trade bodies represented at UK Music.’
