Music Masters names new chair

Music Masters has appointed STUART MASON chair of its board of trustees, replacing SIMON FREAKLEY, who has stepped down after twelve years in the role.

Currently on the board at Music Masters, Wigmore Hall, and Nottingham Youth Orchestra, Mason is senior vice president of commercials at Belmond, a global luxury travel company. He previously worked in revenue management for airlines, hotels and advertising.

Mason will oversee the next stage of Music Masters’ national development strategy, including new activities with schools, teachers and the music sector, as well as partnership-building work to address systemic issues that affect access to music education and opportunities for young people.

Benefitting from instrumental lessons and free participation in a youth orchestra as a child, Mason learned piano and cello and later raised seven children, educated in the state school system, all of whom play either violin, piano or cello professionally.

Mason’s son, the renowned cellist SHEKU-KANNEH-MASON, became Music Masters’ patron in February.

Mason said: “Every child is creative. Every child needs the chance to find and fulfil their creative ambition. As parents of the Kanneh-Mason children, Kadiatu and I knew we wanted music to be part of our children’s lives and we also know what it means to have help along the way.

“As chair of Music Masters, I’d love to give back and lend my voice – to share the Music Masters story and help children in their hundreds and thousands to fulfil their creative potential.”

CEO of Music Masters ROZ DE VILE said: “Stuart is a remarkable role model who truly believes that every child deserves to experience the joy and wide socio-emotional and educational benefits that music can provide.

“He is a superb successor to Simon, who has been a huge part of Music Masters’ story and success since 2012 and to whom we are exceptionally grateful. Stuart steps into the role of chair at an exciting time for Music Masters, and I look forward to working side by side with him as we seek to bring high-quality musical opportunity to thousands more children and young people across the UK.”