Chair, PRS for Music
What drew you to a board role?
In 2012, I moved from full time CEO roles - largely in the creative industries - to a ‘portfolio career’, working flexibly across a number of different board roles in a wide range of industries and organisations. I was approached by a search firm to consider chairing PRS for Music in 2023, after I had stepped down from chairing the British Council (the UK’s global cultural organisation)and I’m not embarrassed to admit I worked hard to get the job. It’s because I love music - I’d always worked on the edges of the industry: from being the jingle queen when I was in advertising, to music magazine publishing; to involvement with concerts, venues and festivals- I love working with creators. And I love a challenge!
What did you bring to the table?
I’ve spoken frequently about joining my first board at 7 (a family board to decide what we spent our money on!) and then really from 16, having served on numerous charity boards as a trustee alongside my commercial career. So, I bring my commitment to social justice and ‘profit with purpose’ to the table. I trained as a lawyer but went quickly into general management roles and have worked across the spectrum in pretty much every type of governance structure: public, private, private equity; non-profit, government, cooperatives; membership, limited partnerships, academic…startups, scale ups, global mega businesses. Some of these generating a £1m turnover to £12bn, from a dozen colleagues to 100k. That breadth of experience gives me a perspective that hopefully can add value to most board discussions and decisions.
What do you wish you had understood earlier?
The complexity and fragmentation of the ‘music industry’ means most industry boards are larger than normal governance standards because of the need for representation. That’s an opportunity, a challenge and a gift. An opportunity, because larger boards can accommodate less experienced board members. A challenge to chair and make sure every voice, especially the quieter ones, are heard within the inevitable time restrictions. And a gift to diversity of thought and views…the more different spotlights being shone on the issue from different angles, the clearer our collective view of it.
What advice would you give to women considering a board role?
Say yes to a seat at the table; volunteer for committees, sub-groups, task and finish teams to broaden your experience and learn as you go. You’re not an imposter!
WOMEN IN THE ROOM
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Bishi
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