Page 887 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Coverage Book 2023-24

Michael Eakin OBE is to stand down as Chief Executive Officer of the Royal
Liverpool Philharmonic Society in March 2025 after 17 years leading the

organisation.

Achievements in this time have included the £14m refurbishment of the Hall, the

creation of a second performance space, the development of the In Harmony
Liverpool programme and NHS Music and Health Programme, and the expansion of

the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company alongside the Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic Choir. He has also led the organisation during Covid, where Liverpool

Philharmonic presented a series of live orchestral concerts at Liverpool Harmonic
Hall. During his tenure, he has worked with Chief Conductors Vasily Petrenko –

under whom the orchestra won two Gramophone Awards – and Domingo Hindoyan.

Louis Shepherd CBE, Chair of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society Board,

says: ‘I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Michael for his exceptional
leadership over the past 17 years. Michael’s tenure has been nothing short of

transformative. His visionary approach has not only strengthened our financial
foundation, but also has significantly expanded our reach and impact within the

community.’

Eakin himself said: ‘I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with an exceptional team,

and any accolades I received are a testament to their dedication and hard work as
much as my own contributions. As I step down, I leave with a deep sense of

gratitude for the opportunity to have been part of this remarkable journey.’

Eakin joined Liverpool Philharmonic after working at Arts Council England where he
had been Executive Director North West; before this he was Director of Arts and

Leisure for Reading Borough Council. He is currently Chair of the Liverpool City
Region Music Board and formerly Chair of the Association of British Orchestras and
a former Vice President of the Theatrical Management Association (now UK

Theatre). In 2022 he was awarded an Honorary Degree by the University of
Liverpool due to his contribution to arts and culture in Liverpool. In 2023 he was

awarded an OBE for his services to the music and the community in Liverpool.