20 Opera Companies Join Forces to Launch UK Opera Association
By David SalazarA new organization representing the UK’s opera sector, the UK Opera Association (UKOA), has officially launched, uniting 20 founding companies to advocate for opera’s future and strengthen its presence across the country.
UKOA, which was founded by Birmingham Opera Company, British Youth Opera, Buxton International Festival, English National Opera, English Touring Opera, Garsington Opera, The Grange Festival, Glyndebourne, Longborough Festival Opera, National Opera Studio, Opera Europa, Opera North, Opera Rara, OperaUpClose, Pegasus Opera Company, Royal Ballet and Opera, Scottish Opera, Streetwise Opera, Tête à Tête, and Welsh National Opera, will aim to serve as the collective voice for the UK’s opera community. The association will also attempt to expand audiences, support creative and technical skills development, and ensure the art form continues to evolve and contribute to the nation’s cultural life.
Former Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Thangam Debbonaire has been appointed as UKOA’s inaugural Chief Executive. Meanwhile, Bob Willard Watts, a veteran arts administrator with over 15 years in the creative industries, joins as Chief Operating Officer.
The UK Opera Association board includes Melvin Claridge (Talent Director, Pegasus Opera Company), Richard Davidson-Houston (Chief Executive Officer, Glyndebourne), Mark Heholt (Director of Policy and Strategy, Royal Ballet and Opera), Flora McIntosh (Artistic Director and CEO, OperaUpClose), Robin Norton-Hale (Artistic Director and CEO, English Touring Opera), Nicholas Simpson (Executive Director, National Opera Studio), and Rachael Williams (Chief Executive Officer, Streetwise Opera).
“It’s an honour to be asked to serve the UK’s wonderful opera sector as the CEO of the newly launched UK Opera Association,” said Debbonaire, Founder and CEO of Red Frock Ltd, per an official press release. “Opera as an art form is at such an exciting time and there is such strength in the diversity of work, approaches, settings and people involved – we have a great story to tell. This story is one which needs to be heard more widely if we are to make sure opera sustains and develops into the future. I’m delighted to bring my professional background in music and my experience in policy-making and politics to serve this cause – as well as my deep and lifelong connections to opera in particular. I look forward to developing relationships, being an advocate and champion for opera wherever it is needed and assisting the sector to demonstrate as widely as possible the value it brings to arts, culture and our national life.”
UKOA received a £25,000 grant from Arts Council England to support its establishment before membership fees begin in early 2026.
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