News
New Chairman for the Royal Philharmonic Society
Wigmore Hall Director John Gilhooly has been elected Chairman of the Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) with immediate effect.
He succeeds Graham Sheffield CBE who has stepped down from the post after four and half years following his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority in Hong Kong. As a Trustee of the RPS, John Gilhooly takes on this Chairmanship alongside his ongoing leadership of Wigmore Hall.
John Gilhooly was previously Honorary Secretary of the RPS and has been a central part of the society’s Council since 2007. He will lead the society as it moves towards celebrations for its bicentenary in 2013.
John Gilhooly comments:
“It is a great honour to be asked to take on the chairmanship of the RPS in the run up to its bicentenary in 2013. Together with its Director, Staff and Council, I look forward to building on its strong traditions and successes, and especially on the legacy of its two most recent Chairmen, Graham Sheffield and his predecessor Tony Fell. The RPS has a crucial role to play in securing the future of classical music in this country, as an advocate and champion for musicians and the music industry, especially at a time when public funding for the arts will be under some considerable pressure. The bicentenary of the RPS is a good time to reinforce and redefine its vital role in the international music world.”