Publishers’ Licensing Services is pleased to announce the appointment of Will Crook in the new role of Policy & Communications Manager.

Will’s arrival in the position will help PLS deepen its engagement in important policy issues relating to copyright and licensing. He will help to represent the interests of PLS and collective licensing on behalf of book, journal and magazine publishers within relevant government departments, and support efforts to ensure that copyright legislation protects all businesses that produce and license published content. His communication skills will also be invaluable as PLS seeks to collaborate with its many partners on a range of complex issues in copyright and licensing.

Will is a respected policy professional who has worked as a senior researcher and assistant to Members of Parliament including former Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee member Andrew Bingham and, most recently, John Whittingdale, former Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport and Minister of State for Media and Data. He has extensive experience of researching, monitoring and influencing policy and managing stakeholder communications, and an excellent understanding of Westminster and public affairs.

Will’s appointment comes as PLS marks the 40th anniversary of its creation and the milestone of £500m in collective licensing distributions to publishers. He begins work at PLS on Monday 6 December 2021.

PLS Chief Executive Sarah Faulder said: “As PLS enters its fifth decade, it is more important than ever that we promote and support the interests of the publishers that entrust us with collective licensing. The creation of this new position shows our desire to play an active and constructive role in policy developments that affect the work of PLS and the thousands of businesses we serve. Will’s experience and expertise in the policy and politics arena will be invaluable, especially at a time when vigilance on copyright developments is so needed. We are looking forward to welcoming him to PLS.”

Will Crook said: “After six eventful years in Parliament, I am very excited to be joining PLS at such an important time for the publishing industry. I will be bringing the skills and experience I have gained during my time in Parliament and will be working tirelessly with Sarah and the team to ensure that the interests of both PLS and the wider publishing world are well represented in Westminster and beyond.”

For more information, please contact Danielle Williams at d.williams@pls.org.uk.

Notes to Editors: 

Publishers’ Licensing Services provides collective rights management services to publishers by overseeing collective licensing for book, journal, magazine and website copying. PLS also provides permissions and other rights management services to the publishing industry. Established by publishers for publishers and owned by the industry, PLS is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1981 owned and directed by the four publishing trade associations, ALPSP, IPG, PPA