Friday, August 21, 2026 - Kim Shillinglaw has been appointed the new Chair of the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS), taking over at a crucial time for the music industry.
She was elected at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting on June 25 and succeeds Jackie Alway OBE, who had held the position since 2020. Shillinglaw has served on the MCPS Board since September 2022 and brings more than three decades of experience across broadcasting, television production and digital media.
Her appointment comes as music rights and copyright face rapid changes driven by streaming, digital platforms and artificial intelligence. MCPS plays a key role in collecting and distributing mechanical royalties for music publishers, songwriters and composers, making its leadership increasingly important as creators push for stronger protection and fairer returns.
Shillinglaw has pledged to work with the board and team to keep MCPS at the forefront of modern, cost-efficient mechanical licensing while protecting the value of musical works.
The new chair also inherits an organisation focused on growth, innovation and stronger support for rights holders. With technology reshaping how music is created, distributed and monetised, Shillinglaw's leadership could prove significant in determining how MCPS responds to the next wave of industry disruption.
Her immediate challenge will be turning her extensive creative-sector experience into practical strategies that strengthen revenues and protect the rights of publishers, composers, songwriters and lyricists.
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