PRS Foundation appoints new chair

New music funding charity PRS Foundation has today announced the appointment of Jane Dyball to the role of chair. Effective from April, Dyball will take over from interim chair and Marquee TV’s director of partnerships Susannah Simons to lead the foundation’s ‘new look’ board of trustees, which includes three new members.

Dyball joins the Foundation following the end of her term as co-chair of disability in music charity Attitude is Everything. She brings to her new role experience gained across a successful and varied career including periods as CEO of the Music Publishers Association Group of companies (MPA), co-founder of the Primadonna Festival and senior vice president of international Legal & Business Affairs at major publisher Warner/Chappell Music as well as through founding her own business transformation consultancy, Laffittes Ltd.

Jane Dyball said: ‘When the PRS Foundation was established in 2000 I was a board member of PRS for Music representing a major publisher, and somewhat sceptical about the need for a talent development agency when the industry is full of excellent A&R teams. But the industry has moved on and in a world where an act with 100,000 streams is just scratching the surface, PRS Foundation has built a 25 year proven track record in facilitating the development of new talent. As an occasional music booker myself I have come to rely on PRS Foundation as a North star in finding and platforming great music in my own little way.’

PRS Foundation’s board of trustees is also set to welcome Apple’s principal legal counsel Brahim Ait Ben Larbi, Plimsoll Productions Ltd COO/CFO Jonathan Jackson and Gender Equality Networks in Europe founder Grace Goodwin following a number of Trustees completing their terms on the Board.

PRS Foundation CEO Joe Frankland said: ‘I am excited to welcome Jane Dyball as PRS Foundation’s Chair. Jane’s contribution to the UK and global music industry has been huge. She is fully deserving of the recognition and respect she has garnered and brings to our organisation a deep understanding of the complex barriers facing music creators from all backgrounds, combined with a passion for getting things done!... Additionally, it is fantastic to have elected at our last Board meeting three new Trustees to our Board, each bringing invaluable experience and knowledge as we look to the future.’