Vanessa Reed appointed as Chief Executive of Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society is delighted to announce the appointment of Vanessa Reed as its new Chief Executive.

Vanessa Reed will lead one of the UK’s most important music organisations, which includes the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company, and a broad learning and community programme.

She will officially take up the position on 2 June 2025, succeeding Michael Eakin, who is retiring after 16 years in the role.

Vanessa Reed is an award-winning music executive with more than 16 years’ experience as CEO of national music organisations in the UK and the US. Since 2019, she has been President and CEO of New Music USA, a New York based national resource which supports music creation and performance across the US.

In this role, Vanessa has launched an array of new initiatives including Amplifying Voices which unites over 45 US orchestras in the co-commissioning of new work and major jazz and film scoring programs which address inequities in the music industry in collaboration with leading US artists. In the US, Vanessa has also been advisor to the Recording Academy’s New York Chapter.

Before the move to New York, Vanessa was CEO at PRS Foundation in London where she repositioned the Foundation as a pioneering international force, leading new initiatives which demonstrate her advocacy for music across a range of genres. This includes the New Music Biennial which won the Royal Philharmonic Society’s best festival award in 2012, and the global Keychange gender equity movement which has been supported by over 650 festivals and music organisations around the world, and recognised through multiple awards, including Classical Next’s Innovation Award.

Vanessa served as Board member of Royal Liverpool Philharmonic between 2016 and 2019, was an Ambassador for the University of Liverpool and collaborated with Liverpool City Council to support emerging musicians.

Her love for Liverpool stems from her father who studied law at Liverpool University in the 60’s, loved the Philharmonic Hall, and inspired her and her family to support one of the city’s football teams. She is married to a Liverpudlian – FACT founder, Eddie Berg.

Vanessa Reed, Chief Executive-designate, said:

“I am thrilled and honoured to be the first woman appointed to the role of Chief Executive at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. This unique organisation is very close to my heart and Liverpool is my favourite UK city.

“Every time I’ve seen the Orchestra perform at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall I’ve been blown away by the quality of the players and the warmth of local audiences.  I’m inspired by Liverpool Philharmonic’s mission to transform lives through music and I’m a longstanding fan of its three-way commitment to the orchestra, venues and learning programmes which reach over 100,000 young people every year. 

“My goal is to ensure that we, as one of the world’s oldest music societies, continue to evolve and thrive as we embark on our next imaginative chapter.

“This includes serving more of the city region’s musicians and young people through the planned “Abbey Road of the North” studios and tapping into Liverpool’s international brand for the benefit of our orchestra, led by our dynamic Chief Conductor, Domingo Hindoyan.

“I can’t wait to join Domingo and the Liverpool Philharmonic’s outstanding musicians, staff, board, and supporters to make all of this happen and to enjoy lots of live music in Liverpool with the audiences we welcome to our performances.

Louise Shepherd CBE, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: 

“We are thrilled to welcome Vanessa Reed as our new Chief Executive. She brings outstanding international experience in the music sector, and in encouraging, supporting and growing new musical voices, artists and audiences.

“She knows Liverpool Philharmonic and the city well, having served on our board between 2016-2019 and has a real passion for the work we do and the role we play within our local community, and as a nationally and internationally important orchestra and music organisation.

“She is a strategic and creative leader who, with our brilliant team, will take Liverpool Philharmonic forward and continue to grow the quality, ambition and reach of our work.”

Claire McColgan CBE, Director of Culture & Major Events, Liverpool City Council, said: 

“Vanessa’s appointment will be transformative for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. She is a visionary leader who has had an indelible impact on the music industry in America. 

“Vanessa not only brings with her a whole wealth of knowledge and passion, but she understands this sector and is committed to elevating it where she can, promoting gender equity and diversity at every level. We’re really keen to explore links with New York, and in doing so take the Philharmonic – and the city – to exciting new frontiers.

“Michael has been a wonderful ambassador for Liverpool and has been a leading civic figure – a role which Vanessa is sure to embrace, and in doing so, will make the city culturally richer.”

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