Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society appoints first woman as Chief Executive

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society has appointed a new Chief Executive who will take up the position on June 2, 2025. Vanessa Reed will lead one of the most important music organisations in the UK, comprising the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company, and an extensive learning and community programme.

She succeeds Michael Eakin as Chief Executive who retires at the end of March 2025 after 16 years in the role. Vanessa Reed is an award-winning music executive with more than 16 years’ experience as CEO of national music organisations in the UK and the US. Since 2019, she has been President and CEO of New Music USA, a New York based national resource which supports music creation and performance across the US.

Vanessa served as Board member of Royal Liverpool Philharmonic between 2016 and 2019, was an Ambassador for the University of Liverpool and collaborated with Liverpool City Council to support emerging musicians. Her love for Liverpool stems from her dad who studied law at Liverpool University in the 60’s and loved the Philharmonic Hall. She is married to a Liverpudlian - FACT founder, Eddie Berg.

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Vanessa Reed, Chief Executive-designate, said: "I am thrilled and honoured to be the first woman appointed to the role of Chief Executive at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. This unique organisation is very close to my heart and Liverpool is my favourite UK city.

"Every time I’ve seen the Orchestra perform at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall I’ve been blown away by the quality of the players and the warmth of local audiences. I’m inspired by Liverpool Philharmonic’s mission to transform lives through music and I’m a longstanding fan of its three-way commitment to the orchestra, venues and learning programmes which reach over 100,000 young people every year.

"My goal is to ensure that we, as one of the world’s oldest music societies, continue to evolve and thrive as we embark on our next imaginative chapter. This includes serving more of the city region’s musicians and young people through the planned 'Abbey Road of the North' studios and tapping into Liverpool’s international brand for the benefit of our orchestra, led by our dynamic Chief Conductor, Domingo Hindoyan.

"I can’t wait to join Domingo and the Liverpool Philharmonic’s outstanding musicians, staff, board, and supporters to make all of this happen and to enjoy lots of live music in Liverpool with the audiences we welcome to our performances."

Louise Shepherd CBE, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Vanessa Reed as our new Chief Executive. She brings outstanding international experience in the music sector, and in encouraging, supporting and growing new musical voices, artists and audiences.

"She knows Liverpool Philharmonic and the city well, having served on our board between 2016-2019 and has a real passion for the work we do and the role we play within our local community, and as a nationally and internationally important orchestra and music organisation.

"She is a strategic and creative leader who, with our brilliant team, will take Liverpool Philharmonic forward and continue to grow the quality, ambition and reach of our work.”