The Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society (MCPS) collects and distributes royalties and protects rights on behalf of over 7,000 music publishers, together with around 35,000 songwriters and composers, when their music is reproduced in any format. This includes physical products, such as records, CDs and DVDs; streaming or downloading services; use in audio-visual entertainment such as TV, film, video games and advertising; and on the radio.

With roots stretching back to 1910, we are one of the longest established music rights protection organisations in the world, but our forward-looking and sophisticated business model continues to break new ground. In 1997, we joined forces with the Performing Right Society Limited (PRS) in the MCPS-PRS Alliance, which led to the launch of the joint online licence in 2002. This pioneering model encouraged the growth of digital music services, while protecting the rights of its members and collecting royalties for onward distribution. Since then, we have once again become a standalone business, while working very closely with our partner and principal service provider PRS for Music. And our commercial success is notable: 2025 saw us deliver the highest distribution of royalties to members since 2003.

We now have a fascinating opportunity for an Independent Non-executive Director to join our board, working to maintain our trajectory of high performance and innovation in this fast-moving and highly complex industry. We would like to attract a candidate with a track record of commercial achievement, and an outstanding professional profile. We particularly invite interest from those with digital systems / data expertise, inclusive of systems integration and maintenance. These specific areas of expertise and oversight are a pre-requisite for the right candidate for the vacancy. We believe there is significant headroom in our sector, and candidates will bring an unusual blend of knowledge, achievement and the ability to spot and exploit emerging opportunities.

Candidates are likely to have non-executive and senior executive experience in an information or IP business; and while an understanding of licensing and rights is not essential, it would be helpful. Independent-minded, analytical and able to work with a high degree of complexity, you will bring a stimulating, expert perspective to the board’s business. We would particularly welcome interest from candidates who bring backgrounds or personal perspectives which will enrich the current composition of our board. This could include (but is not limited to) age, socio-economic or demographic circumstances, a minoritised ethnicity, sex or gender.

To find out more, please visit www.cadence-mcps.co.uk

If you have any questions not answered by the site, please contact Cadence Partners by email at mcps-ined@cadencepartners.co.uk

Closing date: 20 August 2026.

Guardian Jobs

Latest Jobs

Independent Non-Executive Director, Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS)