(Photo by Mark Allan)

James Williams will be the next Director of the Royal College of Music. He will be the 11th person to take on this role following Professor Colin Lawson CB, who will retire in August of 2024.

Williams, who has been the Managing Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra since 2016, is set to start his tenure on Sept. 1, 2024. In addition to his work with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Williams also worked as Programming Manager at the Royal Northern College of Music. He is also on the Board of Metroland Cultures and Mayfield Valley Arts Trust, in addition to being a member of the RCM Council and a Board member of the Association of British Orchestras.

“It is a great honor to lead the Royal College of Music into the next chapter of its development, building on the incredible successes to date and honoring the College’s founding principles and commitment to its students for widening access, advocating strongly for the value of music education and upholding the RCM’s unrivaled reputation for artistic excellence,” said Williams in an official press statement issued by the Institution.

“I wish James every success and look forward to working with him in the coming months to ensure a seamless transition.  It remains an enormous privilege to serve the RCM as Director, a role I will have fulfilled for almost twenty years,” added Professor Lawson CBE.