Hallé Orchestra announces new chief executive

Manchester’s internationally-renowned symphony orchestra, the Hallé, has announced that David Butcher is to become its new chief executive following the retirement of John Summers this July.

David McKeith, chair of the Hallé board, said: “John’s achievements with the Hallé are many, culminating with the re-opening and extension of Hallé St Peter’s and The Oglesby Centre.

“We wish him a warm farewell and very happy retirement.

“We could not be happier than to announce David Butcher as our new chief executive.

“His own achievements with the Britten Sinfonia are well known, and we look forward to the exciting new chapter in the Hallé’s great story.”

David Butcher said: “I’m pleased to have played a part in building one of the world’s great chamber orchestras and I am delighted to be able to leave a thriving Britten Sinfonia, in demand worldwide and never sounding better.

“I have had many happy years with Britten Sinfonia, and as an adventurer at heart, I am also hugely looking forward to this new role with a world-class symphony orchestra that I have admired for as long as I can remember.

“This is a dynamic, artistically rich time for the Hallé, both on the concert platform and in its pioneering new education initiatives, and I’m very much looking forward to working with Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé’s players, chair, board and staff to lead the orchestra into the next exciting era.”

David, for more than 25 years chief executive and artistic director of the Britten Sinfonia, in Cambridge, will take up his new position with the Hallé in early September.