APRA AMCOS appoints Dean Ormston as new CEO

The APRA Board of Directors has announced that Dean Ormston will succeed Brett Cottle as the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer when Cottle steps down on 30 June 2018.

Ormston currently heads APRA AMCOS’ Member Services division and has over 20 years’ experience with the organisation in both member services and licensing areas.

APRA Chair Jenny Morris said: “The APRA Board is thrilled to announce Dean’s appointment to this crucial role. Dean has for many years been a brilliant and highly respected member of APRA’s senior management team. We have no doubt that Dean will bring a fresh and innovative approach to leadership, while building on, and safeguarding, the strengths and traditions of the organisation.”

Under APRA’s mandate to manage mechanical rights society AMCOS’s business operation, Ormston will also take on the role of AMCOS Chief Executive.

Welcoming the appointment, AMCOS Chair Ian James said: “Among Dean’s many skills is his wonderful ability to communicate the importance of music and to advocate the case for music creators in government circles. His recent experience in that role will stand the two collecting societies in excellent stead moving forward.”

Outgoing CEO Brett Cottle said: “The board could not have chosen a better or more qualified leader for the organisation. Apart from being tremendously capable, hard-working and dedicated, Dean is a fantastic person. He will provide great vision and inspiration for the extremely talented workforce we have at APRA AMCOS, and most of all place the members’ needs first and foremost in all circumstances.”

The announcement comes off the back of another record revenue year for APRA AMCOS, driven largely by exponential streaming growth. Of the $386.6 million in revenue (up 16% on previous financial year), digital royalties contributed $110.3m, an increase of $42.5m.

In the lead-up to taking on the new role on July 1 2018, Ormston will continue in his role as Head of APRA AMCOS’s Member Services Division, with appropriate working transition arrangements to be put in place over coming weeks.