Michael Elliott appointed new RSNO Chief Executive
Published by Simon Gwynn on Sat 09 Jun 12 @ 22:10
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) has announced the
appointment of Michael Elliott as its new Chief Executive. Mr
Elliott has been Director of Culture at the Department for Culture,
Media and Sport in London since June 2008 and was formerly Chief
Executive of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.
He will take up the position with Scotland's national symphony
orchestra on Monday 1 August 2011, succeeding Simon Woods, who
assumed his new role as Executive Director of the Seattle Symphony
Orchestra in April.
RSNO Chairman Brian Lang led the Search Committee: "It is with
great pleasure that we announce Michael's appointment. His
experience and knowledge of orchestra management and the wider
cultural sector will be of great benefit to the RSNO. Michael will
join the team in good time for the start of Stéphane Denève's final
season as Music Director and will have the pleasure of working with
incoming Music Director Peter Oundjian, creating a formidable
partnership. Together they will deliver artistic excellence
for the people of Scotland."
Elliott himself says: "I am delighted to accept the post of Chief
Executive of an organisation of such musical stature and
heritage. It is my aim to build on the recent successes of
the musicians and staff under the leadership of Simon Woods and
Stéphane Denève and to see the RSNO playing a key role in Scottish
society, cultural life and education, and in the promotion of
Scotland to the benefit of its trade, tourism and economy."
In 2001 Mr Elliott was appointed Chief Executive of the Royal
Liverpool Philharmonic, driving the organisation's artistic and
financial recovery and contributing to Liverpool winning European
Capital of Culture for 2008. In 2006 he was seconded to the role of
Associate Cultural Director for Liverpool Culture Company, leading
the partnership of Liverpool's major cultural institutions which
was successful in gaining significant additional national
investment for the City.
His current post at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport
involved senior responsibility for government policy, funding and
relationships across the arts, museums, libraries, cultural
property, heritage, architecture and design, royal parks and the
Government Arts Collection.
Mr Elliott currently also serves as Chairman of the Board of
Governors at the University of Wolverhampton and has previously
served as Chairman of the Belgrade Theatre Trust and Deputy
Chairman of the Sheffield Crucible Theatre Trust. He also served as
a governor and Chair of the Finance Committee of the Liverpool
Institute of Performing Arts.
Mr Elliott is a graduate of the University of Sheffield and has a
son, Peter, and a daughter, Chrissie, with his wife, June.
