Robert Ashcroft has announced he will step down as chief executive of PRS for Music on the tenth anniversary of his appointment, at the end of December 2019.
During his time, Ashcroft has transformed the society, modernising its operations and leading it to significant growth during a time of unprecedented industry change.
Under his leadership, PRS for Music has been at the forefront of this change, transforming the way in which online services are licensed and launching three industry joint ventures, ICE, NMP and PPL PRS Ltd, each designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of collective rights management.
Ashcroft has also played a major role in the adaptation of European copyright law to the internet era.
His 2010 ‘hubs strategy paper’ was central to the 2014 European Collective Rights Management Directive, while it was his argument about the ‘transfer of value’ that convinced the European Commission that user-upload platforms and other social media should be made liable for copyright.
Ashcroft said: 'Working for PRS has been by far the most compelling and worthwhile thing I have ever done. It has been a privilege to work on behalf of our members and I would like to thank them, our board, and above all my colleagues, for their support over the years.'
Nigel Elderton, PRS chairman, added: ‘Robert has given the organisation a decade of stability and growth, making it the considerable success it is today. He should be rightly proud of his legacy and the health in which he leaves PRS for Music.
‘On behalf of all our members, staff and industry partners I would like to thank Robert for his service and the positive impact he has had. We wish him every success for the future.’
During his time, Ashcroft has transformed the society, modernising its operations and leading it to significant growth during a time of unprecedented industry change.
Under his leadership, PRS for Music has been at the forefront of this change, transforming the way in which online services are licensed and launching three industry joint ventures, ICE, NMP and PPL PRS Ltd, each designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of collective rights management.
Ashcroft has also played a major role in the adaptation of European copyright law to the internet era.
His 2010 ‘hubs strategy paper’ was central to the 2014 European Collective Rights Management Directive, while it was his argument about the ‘transfer of value’ that convinced the European Commission that user-upload platforms and other social media should be made liable for copyright.
Ashcroft said: 'Working for PRS has been by far the most compelling and worthwhile thing I have ever done. It has been a privilege to work on behalf of our members and I would like to thank them, our board, and above all my colleagues, for their support over the years.'
Nigel Elderton, PRS chairman, added: ‘Robert has given the organisation a decade of stability and growth, making it the considerable success it is today. He should be rightly proud of his legacy and the health in which he leaves PRS for Music.
‘On behalf of all our members, staff and industry partners I would like to thank Robert for his service and the positive impact he has had. We wish him every success for the future.’
