English National Opera

English National Opera (ENO) exists to create extraordinary encounters with opera, on stage and beyond. ENO traces its roots back to 1931 when Lilian Baylis established the Sadler’s Wells Opera Company at the newly reopened Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Baylis was passionate about providing audiences with the best theatre and opera, sung in English and at affordable prices – a belief that remains at the heart of ENO today. ENO has been synonymous with supporting young artists and launching the international careers of many of the world’s leading singers, directors, conductors and creatives. Since 2023 ENO has been going through a period of rapid change, and the company now looks ahead to establishing a main base in the Greater Manchester region, creating work with and for this area, whilst retaining a significant opera season at the London Coliseum.

It is in this context that the Board of Trustees are now seeking candidates for the role of Chair to succeed Dr Harry Brünjes, who has served as a highly respected and effective Chair since 2015. ENO’s next Chair will join the organisation at this incredibly exciting and pivotal time as the company looks ahead to its centenary in 2031, to the evolution of a new strategy and as it starts to put down roots in Greater Manchester. As ENO considers how best to mark its centenary, this is also a pivotal period to consider what the future of the art form will look like, about what kind of company ENO will be and what kind of stories it will tell. This will also be a period of change at the London Coliseum which will go through a period of capital development in the coming years to ensure it is fit for purpose for the next generation. As well as effectively chairing the Board of Trustees and supporting and encouraging the Chief Executive, it is expected that ENO’s Chair will be a strong advocate, storyteller and ambassador for the organisation, developing and maintaining a range of stakeholder relationships and playing a key role in fundraising. As well as a passion for opera and ENO’s mission, candidates should bring excellent communication skills to the role, ideally a proven track record of securing philanthropic support and be highly adept at relationship management. The post-holder will need to be adaptable, forward thinking and bring business acumen to the role.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the English National Opera on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference EEOAB Alternatively email Belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on Thursday 24 October 2024.