The English National Opera has appointed Louise Jeffreys its Interim Chair of the English National Opera and the London Coliseum. She will succeed Dr Harry Brunjes as Chairman who retired.

Jeffreys was previously Deputy Chair of ENO and Chair of the Artistic Committee. She is currently a freelance Creative Consultant and Coach and was Artistic Director of the Barbican Centre between 2010 and 2020.

Before working at the Barbican, she was an Administrative Director at the Nottingham Playhouse, Head of Production at Bayerische Staatsoper, and Technical Director at the English National Opera. She was appointed to the Board of ENO in September 2019.

In a statement 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.”

Jenny Mollica, Chief Executive Officer of ENO, added: “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 company announced that Hilary Newiss, a member of the Board since February 2023, will take up the role of Interim Deputy Chair and is in the process of recruiting a new Chair of the Board.

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