Louise Jeffreys appointed as Interim Chair of ENO
29th January 2025 in News Press
English National Opera (ENO) announced today that Louise Jeffreys is appointed as Interim Chair of English National Opera and the London Coliseum, following the retirement of Dr Harry Brunjes as Chairman.
Louise Jeffreys takes up her appointment having previously been Deputy Chair of ENO and Chair of the Artistic Committee. Hilary Newiss, a member of the Board since February 2023, will take up the role of Interim Deputy Chair.
Louise is currently a freelance Creative Consultant and Coach. She was Artistic Director of the Barbican Centre between 2010 and 2020, where she led the formulation, implementation and delivery of the Barbican’s artistic programme and strategic vision, having previously held the post of Head of Theatre and Arts Projects at the Centre, programming and leading Barbican International Theatre Events (BITE).
Prior to the Barbican, her roles include Administrative Director at the Nottingham Playhouse, Head of Production at Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich, and Technical Director at the English National Opera. She was appointed to the Board of ENO in September 2019.
Louise Jeffreys takes up her appointment having previously been Deputy Chair of ENO and Chair of the Artistic Committee. Hilary Newiss, a member of the Board since February 2023, will take up the role of Interim Deputy Chair.
Louise Jeffreys said, “ENO is a company which has been close to my heart for decades, so I am honoured to be asked to take on the role of Interim Chair. As a Trustee, I have learned so much from Harry Brunjes’s inspirational leadership. I now look forward to leading the Board and Executive as we continue our history of innovation in opera and develop exciting new work for audiences in Greater Manchester and London.”
Commenting on this appointment, retiring ENO Chair, Dr Harry Brunjes, said, “I am delighted that Louise Jeffreys has accepted the role as Interim Chair of English National Opera and the London Coliseum. She is an experienced leader, someone whose professionalism and long-standing commitment to the Company is widely recognised and will ensure continuity and strong leadership.”
Jenny Mollica, Chief Executive Officer of ENO, said: “We welcome the decision of the Board to appoint Louise in the role of Interim Chair of the Board. Louise’s deep knowledge of the Company combined with her extensive industry experience and expertise remain of immense importance to us as we move forward with our ambitious plans for the future.”
The process of recruiting a new Chair of the Board will continue later this year.
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