Performing Rights Society chairman honoured with OBE

Ellis Rich, who also worked for EMI, helped discover 1980s singers Mel and Kim

The chairman of the Performing Rights Society (PRS) has been appointed OBE in the New Year Honours list for services to the music publishing industry.

Ellis Rich, who lives in Chigwell, Essex, runs the Independent Music Group, a worldwide music publishing consortium, which he set up in 1989.

Mr Rich is a classical and jazz pianist who started working in the music publishing industry in 1963.

He is due to stand down as chairman of the PRS this month.

A PRS spokesman said Mr Rich had been a great supporter of songwriters and he had said that "without the song there is nothing".

Mr Rich had also worked for EMI and helped discover 1980s singers Mel and Kim.

Robert Ashcroft, chief executive PRS for Music, said: "On behalf of the 75,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers we represent I am delighted that our recent chairman has been awarded in this way.

"Ellis has worked tirelessly for the music industry and has made a lasting contribution both to our organisation and the wider business, championing the cause of music publishers and songwriters at all levels."

Other people from Essex honoured in the New Year list include Jill Allen-King, MBE, of Westcliff-on-Sea, who is appointed OBE for services to blind and partially-sighted people.