Pickard to step down as Director of BBC Proms

DAVID PICKARD will depart from his role as Director of BBC Proms after nearly a decade at the helm.

He will remain in post until October 2024, overseeing next year's Proms and planning for future seasons.

Before joining BBC Proms, Pickard spent fourteen years as General Director of Glyndebourne and eight years as Chief Executive of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

After delivering nine Proms seasons, he said, "It feels like the right time to move on and explore new projects". 

“It has been an immense honour and privilege to run the world's greatest classical music festival alongside an incredible team, working with many of the most exciting orchestras, musicians and artists on the planet," he added. 

Controller of BBC Radio 3 SAM JACKSON thanked Pickard for "all his hard work over the years". 

"It was a pleasure working alongside him this season, where I saw first-hand his commitment to musical excellence and reaching broader audiences – leading to record-breaking figures on BBC Sounds and iPlayer.

"David has consistently championed classical music at the BBC, in particular the BBC’s own orchestras and choirs, ensuring they remain the beating heart of every Proms season."

Recruitment for a senior leader overseeing the BBC Proms will start in the new year.