Nordoff Robbins appoints new CEO
Sandra Schembri will be the new chief executive of music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins, taking over from Julie Whelan who retires later this year.
Schembri has spent the past ten years as chief executive of homeless charity and members’ club the House of St Barnabas. She has previously held positions at Bloomberg, the Royal Academy of Arts and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
“As someone who’s always had a love of music, I’m really excited by the prospect of leading a charity that champions the positive impact it has on people’s health and wellbeing,” says Schembri.
“I’m looking forward to working to make music therapy more readily available for people affected by life-limiting illness, disability and isolation,” adds the incoming chief executive.
Nordoff Robbins chairman David Munns comments: “As the UK’s largest music therapy charity we have ambitious plans to significantly increase access to our services for those who need it most.”
“I’m looking forward to working to make music therapy more readily available for people affected by life-limiting illness, disability and isolation”
Munns states that Schembri was a “stand-out candidate” and “a proven leader with the experience and energy to help us achieve [our] goal.”
During her five-year tenure, outgoing chief executive Whelan doubled the number of people the charity supports through music therapy and increased the number of therapists employed by the charity.
Whelan also led the merger with Nordoff Robbins’ sister organisation in Scotland and oversaw the launch of a third training base in Newcastle, adding to already established centres in Manchester and London.
Schembri will join Nordoff Robbins as incoming chief executive on 7 October, before Whelan formally stands down on 5 November.
Nordoff Robbins works in partnership with care homes, schools and hospitals to enrich the lives of vulnerable people through music. The charity’s Get Loud campaign (which enables fans to see artists at intimate venues) is designed to raise awareness of the work it does.
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PRS Foundation appoints new CEO
UK-based music development charity PRS Foundation has appointed Joe Frankland as its new chief executive, effective 22 July.
Frankland has worked at the foundation since 2014, running the Momentum Music Fund and the International Showcase Fund in his first role as industry fund manager.
Since 2015, Frankland has held the position of senior grants and programmes manager, leading grant-making and partnership programmes.
He previously worked in talent development at Newcastle-based music development agency Generator.
“I am incredibly excited and honoured to have been offered the role of PRS Foundation chief executive,” says Frankland.
“I am incredibly excited and honoured to have been offered the role of PRS Foundation chief executive”
“I am proud to work with such an enthusiastic team and board and look forward to collaborating with partners and the industry to support the UK’s most exciting music creators and pioneering organisations.”
PRS Foundation chair and managing director of Bucks music group, Simon Platz says he is “delighted” with the new appointment.
“Joe’s years of experience delivering targeted support and developing talent will be a huge asset as he leads the Foundation into its third decade,” comments Platz.
Frankland takes over the role from Vanessa Reed, who held the top position at PRS Foundation for eleven years. Reed says she has “no doubt” that her successor will “do an excellent job”.
Reed was appointed president and chief executive of New Music USA in April.
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Mojo CEO Mutsaers steps down after nine months
Mojo Concerts’ CEO, Wilbert Mutsaers, has stepped down after less than nine months at the helm of Live Nation’s Dutch operation.
Mutsaers’s appointment was announced last November, two weeks after the departure of former CEO Dick van Zuylen, and he stepped into the role on 1 January. He was previously station manager at NPO 3PM, roughly equivalent to the UK’s Radio 1.
In a Dutch-language statement, the promoter says the decision was made mutually with “respect and harmony” and cited a “difference of opinion on the future of the company” as the reason for the split.
Mojo tells IQ the company is not currently seeking a replacement for Mutsaers, with his duties taken up by former CEOs Leon Ramakers and John Mulder.
Mojo Concerts is the Netherlands’ largest touring and festival promoter, and organises the Lowlands, Pinkpop and North Sea Jazz festivals.
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