Appointment of award-winning singer-songwriter Laura Mvula to PRS Members' Council

PRS for Music are delighted to announce that award-winning singer-songwriter Laura Mvula has been appointed to the PRS Members’ Council with immediate effect. Mvula lends invaluable expertise as a songwriter and touring performing artist with an illustrious career. A graduate of the prestigious Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with a degree in composition she has also received an Honorary Doctorate for her services to music from her alma mater, Birmingham City University.

Mvula has led several acapella, jazz, neo-soul and gospel choirs in her career and is classically trained. Her critically acclaimed albums have been welcomed with numerous accolades including two MOBO awards, two Ivor Novello awards and three Mercury Prize shortlist nominations. Adding to her expertise, in 2017 she composed the music for the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Antony & Cleopatra.

Laura’s appointment follows songwriter and composer Hannah Peel’s decision to stand down from the Members’ Council. Peel was elected to the Members’ Council in May 2022 at the PRS Annual General Meeting. She explains her decision to step down in an exclusive interview with M Magazine.

Peel’s decision created a casual vacancy on the Members’ Council. The process to fill casual vacancies is at the discretion of the Member’ Council. The decision was made to invite all the candidates who stood for election at the 2022 AGM to be considered for the role. Of those that chose to stand and based on the collegiate voting system, Writer Council Members voted in a blind ballot. The result was then ratified by the entire Members’ Council. Casual vacancies to the Members’ Council are appointed until the next AGM, when the role becomes vacant and is subject to a vote at the AGM.

The role of the PRS Members' Council is to focus on ensuring that the views, concerns and needs of PRS members are heard and met. The Member Council also focuses on strategic oversight and reviewing company performance.

Writing has always been part of my everyday life. Teaching, conducting, arranging, performing – each has taught me something about what it means to be a musician and songwriter. As a PRS Writer Council Member, it’s my desire to ensure music creators are given the support they need to navigate the ever-changing landscape. I believe songwriters and composers should benefit from the structures and processes of which they are the foundation. I believe that representation truly matters. It can turn the tide in conversations and decision-making. As a writer, composer and recording artist but also, a black British woman with over 10 years in the industry, there are countless experiences to which I can uniquely speak, and I look forward to bringing that to the table. 

The PRS Member Council gives a fundamental voice to our member community and is an active and vital part of our governance. We strive to ensure that the council is representative across our varied membership, and I am thrilled to welcome Laura Mvula as she joins the council. 

I extend a very warm welcome to Laura Mvula as she joins the PRS Member Council. To have the benefit of her vast experience as a songwriter, composer, and performer and as a woman navigating the music industry, I have no doubt that Laura will make a significant contribution to our deliberations.”  

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