Publishers’ Licensing Services has announced that Monisha Shah will become the next PLS Chair, succeeding Rosie Glazebrook, whose term comes to an end on 31 May.
Monisha has extensive experience of chair and board level roles within the creative industries, tech, and legal sectors. She is currently Council Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council as part of UK Research and Innovation, Board Director and Council Member at the Advertising Standards Authority, Chair of the King’s Counsel Appointments Board, and Chair of Wikimedia UK. She is also currently a trustee of the Art Fund and Royal Collection Trust.
Monisha’s previous experience also includes board roles at the Office for Students (2018-2022), Donmar Warehouse (2018-2019), and the Ofcom Content Board (2017-2023). She was also previously trustee at the Foundling Museum, the National Gallery, and the Tate. From 2015 to 2021, Monisha served as Independent Member on the Committee on Standards in Public Life and from 2015 to 2021, she was Board Chair at the Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance.
From 1999 to 2010, Monisha was Director of Sales for Emerging Markets, EMEIA, at BBC Worldwide (now BBC Studios) and during that time served as a board member for BBC Worldwide India Channels Limited and Worldwide Media Limited, a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Times of India Group that published key BBC magazine titles.
Monisha will begin her term as Chair on 1 June. PLS has recently been working on collective licensing opportunities for artificial intelligence, and has played an active role in the Creative Rights in AI Coalition and the Make it Fair campaign, which has been calling on the government to ensure a sustainable future for AI and the UK’s creative industries. PLS has paid out £48 million to publishers in licensing revenues in the past 12 months.
Monisha Shah said:
“I care deeply about fair value for intellectual property rights. Licensing matters because it supports a flourishing creative economy. It ensures access to users and allows for sustainable innovation for creators and publishers. I am delighted to join the Board of PLS at this time of transformational change presented by new technologies to maintain the UK’s ‘gold standard’ copyright framework.”
Rosie Glazebrook, current PLS Chair, said:
“I am handing over as Chair at a time of challenge and opportunity for publishers with licensing related to AI uses taking centre stage. I am confident PLS has the expertise and team to continue its excellent work providing revenues from licensing to publishers and I wish Monisha all the best.”
Tom West, PLS Chief Executive, said:
“Monisha joins at a pivotal moment for the industry and for PLS, as collective management organisations play an increasingly important role in helping to safeguard copyright and the future of the UK’s creative industries amidst rapid technological change, including the rise of AI. Her significant boardroom and commercial experience will be invaluable as we navigate these challenges, and I very much look forward to working with her”.