Birmingham Symphony Orchestra appoints Chair

TONY HALL, Lord Hall of Birkenhead, will become Chair at City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO).

He succeeds DAVID BURBIDGE CBE, who steps down after a five-year tenure.

Hall has held numerous executive and non-executive roles in the sector, including Director General of the BBC until 2020. Before this, he was Chief Executive of Royal Opera House and Managing Director of BBC News and Current Affairs.

He is Chair of the social work charity Frontline and a crossbench member of the House of Lords, sitting on the Communications and Digital Committee.

"CBSO is an amazing world-class orchestra doing incredible work in a city I’ve known since I was at school there," Hall commented. 

"I’ve always believed that everyone should have access to the best – and I can see that’s what motivates the CBSO too.

"I know – together – there’s so much more we can do to bring the best music to everyone in Birmingham, the West Midlands and beyond.”

Chief Executive EMMA STENNING added: "From our first conversation, [Hall's] passion for music, commitment to learning and engagement, and excitement at what the CBSO can achieve, was palpable.

"I said from the start that we needed a Chair of vision, conviction, and fearlessness – someone who loves the music and is simply unrelenting in their determination that it be for everyone.

"In Tony, we have found that, and I can’t wait for us to start working together."