The Music Publishers Association (MPA) has appointed Richard King, chief executive officer of Faber Music, as board chair for a three-year term. His agenda includes artificial intelligence (AI) policy, creators’ rights and sustained government funding for music.
The UK music publishers’ trade body confirmed the appointment following a board vote. King will lead his first board meeting on 22 October, succeeding Paulette Long OBE, who remains a board director.
Publishing and board experience
King has led Faber Music since 1999, giving him more than 25 years of publishing leadership experience across classical, film, television, pop and printed music.
During his tenure, Faber Music has expanded through acquisitions including UK publisher and composer agency Manners McDade and the print music business of classical publisher Edition Peters in 2023.
King served as an MPA director from 2002 to 2019 and returned to the board in 2022. His other board experience includes:
- 18 years as a PRS director, ending in 2022.
- Nine years as a PRS Foundation director, ending in 2024.
- A directorship at PML since its establishment in 2012.
AI policy and music funding
King intends to bring members together around shared publishing priorities and use his experience to support the association’s advocacy. His policy and membership agenda includes:
- Engaging with government on an AI framework that supports innovation while protecting creativity, creators’ rights and likeness.
- Seeking greater transparency around AI training data and clear labelling of AI-generated music so listeners can identify it.
- Pressing for the government’s recently announced three-year, £45 million Plan for Music, called Turn It Up, to become a sustained, long-term commitment.
- Improving communication between the MPA and its members.
- Encouraging publishers to share best practice on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
King said he wanted to build on Long’s work with the executive team and strengthen publishers’ representation on issues affecting members. He welcomed the Plan for Music and the new National Plan for Music Education, while calling for both to deliver lasting change.
Working with Peter Jackson
King will work with Peter Jackson, who became MPA managing director in July 2026. Jackson reports to MPA Group chief executive Paul Clements and oversees the association’s daily operations and team.
Jackson’s remit includes strengthening the MPA’s representation of publishers and its value to members. He said he would draw on the board’s experience, listen to publishers of all sizes and develop the association’s impact in the UK and internationally.
Jackson has 25 years of experience across music and the creative industries, including record labels, publishing, management, film and advertising.
Jackson’s industry background
Jackson began his career in synchronisation licensing at EMI and Sanctuary Records. In 2005, he moved into production music and established the UK office of US music library Non-Stop Music.
He stayed after Warner Chappell acquired the business in 2007, helping develop the UK operation into Warner’s European production music division, with additional offices in Stockholm, Hamburg and Paris.
Before joining the MPA, Jackson held several roles in visual effects, including at Oscar-winning creative studio Framestore, where his responsibilities covered mergers and acquisitions, new ventures and grant funding.
