National Children’s Orchestras (NCO) has announced the appointment of Michael Eakin as Chair of its Board of Trustees, effective May 2026.

Eakin, who most recently served as Chief Executive of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic until 2025, will take over for Louise Mitchell CBE, who will step down after six years in the role. In addition to his work with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, he was Executive Director North West at Arts Council England and served as Chair of the Association of British Orchestras from 2011 to 2014, Chair of the Liverpool City Region Music Board from 2019 to 2025, and a member of Arts Council England’s National Council from 2018 to 2022.

“I am delighted to succeed Louise Mitchell as Chair of National Children’s Orchestras,” Eakin said per an official press release. “This brilliant organization plays a critical role in involving young people from across our communities in orchestral music and in developing their creativity and their musical skill. No work is more important in ensuring the continued future success and relevance of orchestral music in our society, and I am looking forward to working with the great NCO team to help the organization fulfill its crucial role in this endeavour.”

The appointment comes as NCO enters a new phase of development and expansion. The organization recently announced its 2026 program of orchestral weeks, weekends, and six public concerts in cities including Liverpool, Bristol,  Portsmouth, and London, alongside expanded regional activity and new partnerships.

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