Richard Heason, Co-Director - Southbank Sinfonia at St John’s Smith Square will be leaving the organisation on 7 September. Since the merger between St John’s Smith Square and Southbank Sinfonia Richard has played a significant part in uniting the two organisations. After ten years, Richard believes that now is the right moment for him to pursue new opportunities and for the organisation to seek new leadership.
Richard was awarded the British Association of Concert Halls/Association of British Orchestras ‘Concert Hall Manager of the Year’ award in 2018. From 2019 to 2022 he served as Vice-President of the Réseau Européen de Musique Ancienne - European Early Music Network and from 2011 to 2017 was a Board Member and Treasurer of the British Arts Festivals Association. Richard is also the Chairman of the Dartington International Summer School Foundation where he has served as a Board Member since 2014, and Executive Director of the London Festival of Baroque Music since 2017.
Over the past ten years Richard’s work has been characterised by creativity and vision and a deep love for St John’s Smith Square. He has championed both distinguished and emerging musicians, nurtured a much-loved home for amateur and school performers, and sustained the Grade 1 heritage asset of St John’s Smith Square. From 2015 to 2017 he oversaw the residency series from the Queen Elizabeth Hall as the refurbishment of that venue took place and throughout the pandemic, he led the way towards St John’s Smith Square re-opening as one of the national pilot venues, paving the way for the return of live music.
In 2021 Richard led the concert hall into the merger with Southbank Sinfonia, guaranteeing a future where the creative energy of this unique fellowship programme lies at the heart of the venue’s programme and ensuring the future of one of London’s most iconic concert venues.
Richard Heason (Co-Director – Southbank Sinfonia at St John’s Smith Square) says “I have been so fortunate to have been able to enjoy such an enriching experience over the past ten years at St John’s Smith Square. It’s a unique place, with magnificent architecture, flawless acoustics, and the reward of a wonderful community of artists and audiences. Watching and listening to the first rehearsals and concerts of the Southbank Sinfonia Fellowship programme as they moved in to their new home last year was an incredibly fulfilling experience. I wish them every success as they take St John’s Smith Square forward.”
Simon Over (Co-Director – Southbank Sinfonia at St John’s Smith Square) says “I’ve greatly enjoyed working with Richard over the last eighteen months; his experience and skills have been invaluable as we have sought to unite two different entities and explore the great potential of the merged organisation. I wish him great success in his next endeavours.”
Duncan Sutherland (Chair of Trustees – Southbank Sinfonia at St John’s Smith Square) says “The Trustees and I wish Richard every success as he moves on to new challenges and he leaves with our good wishes for the future. He has been a mainstay of St John’s Smith Square for over 10 years and has guided the previous Trust to achieve some wonderful events in this spectacular historic building. He also guided the organisation through the pandemic keeping St John’s operating where others fell by the wayside. I would personally like to thank him for his contribution to the merger of our two organisations which has helped us get to the successes we are now achieving and going to achieve as we grow into this wonderful building.”
For further information please contact:
For Southbank Sinfonia at St John’s Smith Square:
Marina Abel Smith, Head of Development and Communications
marina@sjss.org.uk Tel: 020 7222 2168
For Richard Heason:
Anna Kenyon PR
anna_kenyon@hotmail.com Tel: 07525 361 894
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