Simon Webb
Simon Webb is to become general manager of the Salford-based BBC Philharmonic, it has been announced today.
Webb will join the Salford City Council supported orchestra in March as the orchestra completes its survey of Strauss’ work in collaboration with the Hallé, Manchester Camerata and The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, celebrating 150 years since the composer’s birth.
Taking over from Richard Wigley who has been at the helm of the orchestra for the past 10 years, Webb comes to Salford from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra where he has been the Director of Orchestral Management since 2008.
Simon Webb said: ‘I am delighted to be joining the BBC Philharmonic, an orchestra I have admired for some time and enjoyed hearing in Manchester and Sheffield in recent years.
“I am looking forward to continuing the impressive work of my predecessor, Richard Wigley, in developing the orchestra’s work across the region and particularly in its home city of Salford. The BBC Philharmonic has an important role to play within the BBC and on the international stage as one of the UK’s finest symphony orchestras; I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with [conductor] Juanjo Mena and this excellent orchestra.’
The BBC Philharmonic is supported by Salford City Council.
A former cellist, he was a member of the London Philharmonic Orchestra from 1996 to 2005 before joining Sheffield’s Music in the Round as Administrative Director and establishing its in-house Ensemble 360.
Passionate about music education, Webb played a leading role in the outreach work at the London Philharmonic Orchestra, worked with Arts Council England to develop orchestral provision in Yorkshire and the Humber and is on the board of the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.
Welcoming the news, Peter Salmon, Director of BBC North said: “Simon’s artistic credentials speak for themselves but what is also impressive is his commitment to spreading the message about music to harder to reach communities and children. The BBC Philharmonic is an important ambassador for the BBC throughout the region, and particularly in its Salford home.“
