Executive Director of Membership and International Karen Buse to step down
Commercial Director Paul Clements to become Executive Director for Membership, International and Licensing
PRS for Music’s Executive Director of Membership & International, Karen Buse, will be stepping down from the organisation at the end of the year.
Karen first joined PRS as a temp on a six-week contract, but over the last 28 years worked her way up to become one of the most senior women in the music industry, leading a team of more than 120 people. Her efforts in championing the rights of PRS members both here and internationally were recognised earlier this month, when she was inducted into Music Week’s Women in Music Roll of Honour.
In the 12 years that she has led the department, Karen Buse has seen International revenues triple. In 2016, International was PRS for Music’s biggest revenue source, collecting £233.7m. A champion of diversity, Karen has also overseen the proportion of women joining PRS as members grow to one third, improving the overall ratio of women members in recent years. Most recently, this year Karen’s teams have launched new digital initiatives for PRS for Music members, including the live performance reporting tool.
I’ve been lucky enough to combine all of the things I love into one role – international relations, commercial focus and a love of music. I am so proud of what my teams have achieved in the time I have been with them, and I know they will continue to do our members proud in the years to come under Paul’s leadership. I would also like to thank our members for all of their support over the years. It has been an honour to serve you all.
PRS for Music’s Commercial Director, Paul Clements, will be taking on the new position of Executive Director for Membership, International and Licensing following Karen’s departure. With 21 years’ experience at PRS for Music, working across both the licensing and membership sides of the business, he is well-placed to continue the development and improvement in services to licensees and members, both in the UK and internationally.
I would like to extend my warmest thanks to Karen and congratulate her on her incredible contribution to PRS for Music in all of the years that she has served the business. I am both delighted and honoured to be taking on this new role and look forward to the challenge of building upon Karen’s sterling work.
About PRS for Music
Here for music since 1914, PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 175,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers. Redefining the global standard for music royalties, PRS for Music ensures songwriters and composers are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public.
For 110 years it has grown and protected the rights of the music creator community, paying out royalties with more accuracy, transparency and speed. In 2023, PRS for Music paid out £943.6m in royalties and collected a record £1.08 billion in revenues. prsformusic.com
