PPL Welcomes a New CFO to Lead Its Next Growth Phase
The UK music rights organization PPL has announced the appointment of Anne-Marie Pearce as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Pearce succeeds Chris Barton, who will step down at the end of 2025 after a 20-year career with the company. In her new role, Pearce joins PPL’s Executive Leadership Team under CEO Peter Leathem OBE, where she will oversee both the Finance and Distribution divisions and play a crucial role in shaping the company’s financial and strategic direction.
She will also become a board member of PPL PRS Ltd, the joint venture operated by PPL and PRS for Music, which manages public performance licensing in the UK.
Extensive Experience Across Media, Entertainment, and Finance
With over two decades of leadership experience in the media, entertainment, and advertising industries, Anne-Marie Pearce brings a wealth of financial and strategic expertise to her new position. She joins PPL from Publicis Groupe, where she served as UK Country CFO, overseeing financial operations for leading agencies in creative, media, and healthcare sectors.
Prior to Publicis, Pearce held senior roles at Global Media & Entertainment as Group and Commercial Finance Director, managing business operations across the UK, EMEA, and North America. Earlier in her career, she spent several years at The Walt Disney Company, where she played a pivotal role in launching Disney’s first global direct-to-consumer subscription service, which later evolved into Disney+.
Her proven ability to drive transformation and operational efficiency has made her a standout leader in financial management within creative industries.
PPL’s Vision for Global Expansion and Innovation
As CFO, Pearce will be responsible for guiding PPL through its next phase of technological innovation and global expansion. The organization, which collected over £300 million in revenue in 2024, has become one of the leading neighboring rights organizations worldwide. PPL’s focus on technology investment, transparency, and collaboration continues to position it as a model for rights management efficiency and fairness.
CEO Peter Leathem praised Pearce’s appointment, saying her “proven track record of driving transformation and supporting strategic growth” makes her the ideal candidate to help PPL reach its vision of becoming the number one neighboring rights organization globally.
Leadership Transition and Legacy of Chris Barton
Outgoing CFO Chris Barton, who began his career at PPL in 2005 as a Financial Analyst, played a significant role in transforming the company’s financial operations and digital royalty distribution systems. Promoted to CFO in 2018, Barton also served on the PPL PRS Ltd board and was instrumental in strengthening PPL’s position as a trusted partner to artists, performers, and recording rightsholders.
Reflecting on his time with PPL, Barton said, “It has been a privilege to serve as CFO and be part of the company’s journey for the past 20 years. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and look forward to seeing PPL continue to thrive under Anne-Marie’s leadership.”
Anne-Marie Pearce on Joining PPL
In her first public statement as CFO-designate, Pearce expressed her enthusiasm about joining PPL at a pivotal time:
“PPL plays a crucial role in ensuring that members are fairly compensated for the use of their recorded music. My career has been shaped by a passion for transformation and collaboration—values deeply embedded in PPL’s culture. I’m excited to contribute to its next chapter of growth.”
Her appointment aligns with PPL’s continued commitment to building a transparent, innovative, and inclusive organization that leverages technology to maximize revenue for its members globally.
A New Chapter for UK Music Rights Management
The appointment of Anne-Marie Pearce as Chief Financial Officer signifies a new era for PPL, as it prepares to strengthen its leadership position in the global music rights landscape. With her extensive experience in finance and media operations, Pearce is well-positioned to guide the company through its ambitious growth plans and evolving digital strategy.For more business and leadership updates from the global music and creative industries, visit StartupNews.fyi.
