PRS for Music has appointed Ben McOwen Wilson, a senior Google and YouTube executive, as its next chief executive. Taking office on 12 October, he will lead the UK collection society at a time of rapid technological change, particularly around AI and digital music distribution, where protecting creators’ rights and earnings is a major concern.

McOwen Wilson succeeds Andrea Czapary Martin, who announced her departure in March after leading PRS since 2019. He was chosen after an international search and has previously led Google Play in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, spent more than a decade at YouTube, and held senior roles at UEFA and ITV. PRS represents over 190,000 songwriters, composers and publishers, paid out a record £1.07 billion in 2025, and collected £1.24 billion in royalties.