Appointment of New Clerk (from November 2024)

The Musicians’ Company is delighted to announce the appointment of Neil Constable OBE as Clerk/CEO of the Company to succeed Hugh Lloyd on his retirement in November.

 Neil Constable trained in Stage Management & Technical Theatre at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, going on to work extensively in the theatre and arts for 40 years. He worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company for 16 years, holding the senior management positions of London Manager at the Barbican Centre and RSC General Administrator. Prior to the Globe he was Executive Director and joint Chief Executive of the Almeida Theatre (2003 to 2010) working with Michael Attenborough. He is a Governor, Trustee or Member of several other organisations, including the Chartered Management Institute, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Clifton College, and the Royal Theatrical Support Trust.

 Neil was appointed Chief Executive of Shakespeare’s Globe in 2010 and stepped down after 14 years at the end of 2023. Over the course of his leadership, he led the team that has transformed the Globe into the world-class destination it is known as today. In 2017, Neil was named alongside Emma Rice, as the joint 10th most influential people working in theatre and joint 11th with Dominic Dromgoole in 2016 in The Stage’s Top 100. He was made a Fellow of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2012 and was admitted to the Freedom of the City of London in 2008. At the end of 2023 he was awarded an OBE for services to theatre.

The Master of the Musicians’ Company, The Hon Richard Lyttelton, said:

” I am delighted to welcome such a well respected figure from the arts to take over from Hugh Lloyd and to continue Hugh’s sterling work in the interests of music and musicians. I am confident that this exceptional appointment from a very strong field of candidates will serve to make this ancient Livery Company even more relevant in these challenging times for all committed to furthering the art of music.”

 Neil Constable, incoming Clerk and CEO of The Musicians’ Company, said:

“It is a real honour to be appointed as the new Clerk and Chief Executive of The Musicians’ Company and to succeed Hugh in the Autumn and to have the opportunity to sustain and develop the great work of his exceptional tenure.

 As the only City of London Livery Company dedicated to the performing arts, I look forward to working with the Master, Court and colleagues in furthering the Company’s impact through its wide range of talent development opportunities for musicians and its programme of concerts, outreach, awards and its highly successful young artists’ programme, as well as furthering its contribution to the music profession and national life, rooted in the traditions of the Livery whilst responding to the challenges of today.”