Veteran music publishing exec Roberto Neri will take over as CEO of The Ivors Academy, replacing interim CEO Charlie Phillips. He starts 4/15.

Ivors Academy Chair Tom Gray said Neri “brings a huge breadth of industry experience, knowledge and leadership skills. His commitment—and ours to him—is to be the most influential voice for songwriters and composers in the world."

Neri was most recently CEO of the publishing arm of Believe, and was previously chief executive and COO at Utopia Music Services, EVP and head of Business Development at Downtown Music, and VP of International at Bug Music.

He has served on a range of music industry boards including chair of the Music Publishers Assn. and director for UK Music, PRS for Music, MCPS and PPL/PRS.