Sarah Woods, Chief Executive, Help Musicians. She has short brown hair and wears black glasses; photographed in front of a brick wall, she smiles into the camera.
Changing Faces

New Chief Executive at Help Musicians

Arts Professional
2 min read

SARAH WOODS is the new Chief Executive of music charity Help Musicians.

She is taking up the role with immediate effect, having been Interim Chief Executive since May.

An experienced strategic leader with a background in service, engagement, marketing, fundraising and HR, Woods began working at Help Musicians in 2018. She became Director of Engagement in 2020 before becoming Deputy Chief Executive in January this year. 

She has led on projects including the organisation's first Musicians Census – a support package to help musicians sustain their careers during the cost-of-living crisis – and distributed over £20m of financial support to musicians during the pandemic. 

Before joining Help Musicians, Woods was Director of External Affairs at Royal Albert Hall. 

“Sarah has proved herself to be an exceptional leader and a real visionary. She is the perfect person to take the charity to the next level,” Chair BOB SHENNAN commented. 

Woods said: “Music has always played an important role in my life; performing from an early age it enabled me to build new skills, connect with others and build relationships. 

“It is therefore a privilege to be the charity’s next Chief Executive and I’m looking forward to working collaboratively across the sector to help more people working in music build sustainable and healthy careers.”