James Ainsclough smiling at the camera with the Royal Albert Hall auditorium in the background. He is bald, wears glasses and is wearing a suit.

Photo: Andy Paradise

Changing Faces

Help Musicians CEO moves to Royal Albert Hall

Arts Professional
2 min read

JAMES AINSCOUGH has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Albert Hall. 

He will take over from CRAIG HASSALL, who left in December 2022. DAN FREEMAN, Royal Albert Hall’s Chief Operating Officer, is standing in as Interim CEO until Ainscough assumes the role in late spring this year. 

Ainscough has been CEO of Help Musicians, a charity for professional musicians, since late 2018. During his tenure, he oversaw the distribution of £20m in financial hardship funding during the pandemic and the establishment of Music Minds Matter, a charity which provides mental health care for the music industry. 

Before leading Help Musicians, Ainscough was the Royal Albert Hall's Director of Finance and Administration and Chief Operating Officer. Ainscough says the Royal Albert Hall “has always been close to my heart”. 

As CEO, he will lead the delivery of the organisations post-Covid business plan and its ambition to reach wider audiences. 

“There are multiple challenges ahead but those are what most energise me. I could not be more excited to return to work with the Hall’s dedicated team," Ainscough said.

President of the Royal Albert Hall IAN MCCULLOCH said Ainscough combines a passion for the promotion of music and cultural enlightenment with the vision and business skills required to lead the Hall through its next phase: “The Royal Albert Hall will benefit greatly from James’ experience, talent, enthusiasm and determination. We are delighted that he will soon be re-joining the team”.