June 18th, 2026
Today, IMRO CEO Victor Finn has announced his intention to retire from his role in July 2027, bringing nearly two decades of service to a close.
Victor has led IMRO through a period of major change and expansion across the music rights sector. Since his appointment, IMRO membership has grown from 7,500 to more than 30,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers across over 100 territories, strengthening IMRO’s position as the leading rights management organisation for music creators in Ireland, while also expanding its international reach.
During his tenure, IMRO has delivered record revenues and distributions to members, supported by ongoing investment in technology, licensing operations and royalty distribution systems. This has enabled the organisation to respond to a rapidly evolving music market and provide enhanced services to members and industry partners.
Internationally, Victor has helped to build stronger relationships with affiliate societies across Europe and beyond. IMRO has significantly increased international and digital royalty collections, ensuring Irish creators are rewarded whenever and wherever their music is used. He has also represented creators at European level through his role as Vice President of the GESAC board, contributing to policy discussions around copyright and creator protections in the digital age.
His retirement announcement begins a leadership transition period for IMRO. The Board will now begin the process of appointing IMRO’s next CEO, with executive search firm Board Works leading the process.
Commenting on Victor’s tenure, IMRO Chairman Tom Dunne said:
“Victor’s contribution to IMRO and to Ireland’s music community has been immense. Over almost two decades, he has led the organisation through one of the most transformative periods in the history of the music industry. He has built an organisation that has delivered record revenues and distributions for members, while also positioning IMRO as a key advocate for music creators both in Ireland and internationally.“
“On behalf of the Board, our members and colleagues past and present, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Victor for his exceptional service and leadership. His legacy will be measured not only by the growth of the organisation, but by the positive impact he has had on careers of countless songwriters, composers and publishers. We are delighted that he will continue to lead IMRO through the next phase of its evolution and support a smooth transition to his successor.”
Commenting on his planned retirement, IMRO CEO Victor Finn said:
“With the Board’s recent approval of our five-year strategic plan, and to ensure a smooth and orderly transition, I have informed the Board that my tenure as CEO will conclude in July 2027. This timing will afford the Board the opportunity to appoint a successor and manage the transition effectively. I thank the Board and all my colleagues at IMRO for their wholehearted support as we have developed IMRO into a global rights management organisation in a fast-paced environment of rapid change and evolution across the international rights landscape.
It has been the privilege of my working life to lead IMRO and to serve those whose work I admire deeply: creators and their music publishers, the very heart of the music industry. I have a busy programme of work ahead of me before I step down next year. I look forward to strengthening the foundations of the organisation for my successor over the coming months, before turning an eye to exploring new ways to contribute to the sector.“