Alison Wright Resigns as APRA AMCOS Head of Membership

APRA AMCOS will kick-start the recruitment process for a new head of membership early next year following the resignation of Alison Wright.

The PRO this week announced Wright would leave her position to focus “new opportunities” and being based in Melbourne.

Wright joined APRA AMCOS in August 2021, with a remit to oversee the strategy, framework and the roadmap for its membership division to “deliver best-in-class efficient and effective service to the organisation’s songwriter, composer and publisher membership.”

Boasting more than 20 years’ experience in leadership roles across different industries, she relocated to APRA AMCOS from Canberra, where she had served as CEO of the National Health Cooperative, and, before that, enjoyed stints with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, the ABC and with Southern Cross Austero in Perth.

“It’s been a very hard decision because the organisation is so great,” she says of her departure, “full of dedicated people who are driven to get the best outcomes for members but I want to spend more time in Melbourne and the time is right to do that. I am very proud of the team and the strategic initiatives in motion to drive improvements to member services and look forward to seeing the organisation go from strength to strength.”

In the meantime, APRA AMCOS explains, key contacts within the membership senior management team are Karen Don, director, publisher services; Adam Townsend, director, writer services and Chris O’Neill, director, creative programs and stakeholder engagement.

APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston paid tribute to the outgoing executive.

“The role Alison held at APRA AMCOS is an important, multi-faceted role,” he comments. “It serves and represents the interests of our writer and publisher members who are the heart and purpose of all we do.”

In her two years with the organisation, he adds, Wright was “quick to understand the dynamic and complex nature of our business and the emerging critical needs of our membership. She’s made important contributions to member service delivery and to our creative programs framework that will evolve and strengthen over the years ahead.”

APRA AMCOS represents a music community of more than 115,000 songwriters and composers collectively.

“We thank Alison for her contribution,” Ormston continues, “and wish her every success in her future endeavours.”