Frances Moore set to retire as IFPI boss

The announcement was made public on 20 July. Moore, who has held the position since 2010, will continue to work with the body until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition and aid in the global search for her successor.

A barrister by profession, Moore’s relationship with IFPI started in 1994 as regional director for Europe. Prior to this, she had an extensive background representing American and European companies in the retail and electronics sector. 

“I have loved working for IFPI and the recording industry and feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve in this role,” said Moore, who was honoured as a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2021, said. “I am very proud and appreciative of the IFPI team, both now and over the years. Every achievement has been the result of a team effort.

“I have had the good fortune of living through so much of the industry’s transformation from analogue to digital. On my first day at IFPI 30 years ago, I was dealing with legislation on blank tape levies and here we are today dealing with legislation on AI!”

“We thank Frances for all of her many accomplishments navigating IFPI through arguably the most demanding and complex period of modern music’s history,” the organisation’s main board said. “At once, she has led us through music’s digital transition and the industry’s expansion worldwide, enabling a return to growth that mutually benefits artists, labels and the broader music ecosystem.

“Not only has she herself been an excellent and effective advocate for labels and creators, but Frances has built an incredible team of professionals to assure that her legacy will carry on.

Significant achievements by the IFPI under Moore’s leadership include the enactment of the EU Copyright Directive in 2019 and the extension of EU copyright protection for sound recordings from 50 to 70 years in 2011. The trade body also established broadcast and public performance rights in China and Singapore through strategic engagements. 

Revenue from broadcast and performance rights increased from $1.3 billion in 2011 to $2.5 billion in 2022. IFPI took legal action to combat stream manipulation and block copyright-infringing websites in various countries.

Additionally, the IFPI notes that Moore, who was named among Billboard’s International Power Players of 2023, “expanded IFPI’s organisational infrastructure to ensure that it is well placed to campaign for rights holders in a range of fast-growing markets”.

Under Moore’s leadership, IFPI expanded its global presence with six regional offices covering Southeast Asia, MENA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Greater China, with representatives in Vietnam and South Korea.

In 2022, IFPI achieved a significant milestone by inking a joint memorandum of understanding with the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Economy in June to support the growth of recorded music in the local market. 

The IFPI is also behind the annual IFPI Global Charts that rank the best-selling artists in the music industry, as well as a singles chart in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), marking the first official chart in the region.