Chineke! Foundation names Chair designate 

Dr FRANK DOUGLAS has been named Chineke! Foundation’s Chair designate of the board of trustees. He will assume the role in February.

Established in 2015, Chineke! is an orchestra dedicated to providing career opportunities to Black and ethnically diverse classical musicians.

Douglas is the founder and CEO of human resources consultancy firm Caerus Executive, whose clients have ranged from Universal Music Group to the Royal Mail.

Prior to this, Douglas was Executive Vice President and Group Human Resources Director for Misys (now Finastra), a global technology company. He was also a non-executive director of City and Guilds Group.

With a passion for music and creative arts, Douglas is also a former semi-professional trumpet player.

At Chineke!, Douglas will work alongside current acting chair KENNETH OLUMUYIWA THARP during a two-month handover period.

Founder and Artistic & Executive Director of Chineke!, CHI-CHI NWANOKU, said: “Frank’s cross-sector knowledge and expertise will be a fantastic boost for our mission of championing change and celebrating diversity in classical music.”

Douglas added: “The mission of Chineke! is more relevant now than ever, as communities continue to wrestle with the aftershocks of an unprecedented pandemic and cultural institutions are being challenged to drive urgent conversations about diversity and inclusion.”