City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra appoints new CEO

Emma Stenning has been announced as the new Chief Executive of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), starting in her new role on Monday 3 April 2023.

Emma joins the CBSO from her most recent role in the arts as Executive Director of Soulpepper Theatre in Toronto, the renowned Canadian company, much loved for its popular concert series. Emma will be relocating to the Birmingham area and will join the CBSO, where she will initially spend two days a week, before starting her full-time role from mid-July.

Her previous roles include Chief Executive of Bristol Old Vic, where she produced the Bristol Proms and Executive Director of Battersea Arts Centre, which was then home of BAC Opera. She was also Head of Theatre at Arts Council England and Cultural Programme Advisor at the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games. Emma was Head of Producing for the 2009 Manchester International Festival, where she delivered a number of world premieres including Rufus Wainwright’s opera Prima Donna, Antony and the Johnsons with the Manchester Camerata and the London transfer of Damon Albarn’s Monkey.

Emma joins as CBSO prepares to launch its 2023-24 season and welcomes new Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor Kazuki Yamada. Alongside the Board and Kazuki, Emma will work closely with a strong artistic team to ensure the continuation of the CBSO’s world-renowned artistic and musical excellence.

She succeeds Stephen Maddock, who leaves the CBSO after nearly 24 years to take up the role of Principal at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.