Our General Secretary John Logan celebrates 40 years of service.

John joined the Performing Right Society (PRS) as a junior clerk in the index department in 1973.

At the age of 23, in 1978, he was appointed both deputy registrar of the society and assistant secretary to the PRS Benevolent Fund. In 1985 he was appointed General Secretary of the Fund, moving full time in 1990.

He is also freeman of the City of London and a volunteer member of the executive committee of the Royal Variety Charity.

On receiving his award yesterday in London Bridge, he said:

“40 years. It’s hard to believe so much time has passed. I am deeply honoured and privileged to be here today to celebrate this incredible milestone.

Over the past four decades, I have seen the charity grow and evolve in ways I never thought possible. When I became General Secretary in 1985, PRS had 20,000 members. The annual grants fund expenditure was approximately £40,000, and our reserves stood at just under £1 million. It was a role I happily volunteered for in my spare time, managing the organisation alongside my full-time job at PRS as registrar. As the Fund’s activities grew, the trustees offered me the opportunity to become its first full-time General Secretary, which I welcomed with open arms.

Today, PRS has 180,000 members, the Fund distributes approximately £750,000 in grants, and £16 million is invested to generate the income needed to run the charity and our various support schemes. We’re in great shape!

I’ve worked with amazing colleagues, learned so much from exceptional trustees and PRS people, and contributed to projects that have made a real difference to PRS members. When I first joined the charity, one of the discussions at the trustees’ meeting was whether the Fund should provide beneficiaries with a rental TV through a program with Radio Rentals, and whether it should be in colour or black and white. This morning, we discussed how we address the housing and homelessness issues that PRS members face due to the shortage of affordable housing and poor mental health. This is an example of how far we’ve come!

I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together! During my time at PRS, I’ve seen the organisation become a leader in its field, known for its innovation, member focus, and commitment to excellence. I’m proud to have contributed to this journey by supporting PRS songwriters and composers through challenging times.

As I look back on my 40 years of service, I’m reminded of the ethos that has guided us: hard work, teamwork, and a passion for what we do for those in need. This ethos has served us well, and I’m deeply grateful to lead a team that embraces it every workday.

To my colleagues, past and present, I extend my heartfelt thanks for your friendship, support, and partnership. It has been a true pleasure working with each of you.

Here’s to many more years of growth, innovation, and success… and some fun along the way!”