Scottish Ensemble is pleased to announce the appointment of James Hardie as our new Chief Executive.
Scottish Ensemble is pleased to announce the appointment of James Hardie as our new Chief Executive. Born and raised in Edinburgh, James has a wealth of experience in the classical music sector. He is currently Executive Director of The Marian Consort and Music Programmer at Norfolk & Norwich Festival.
As we look to expand our reach and impact, James’ strategic vision and commitment to connecting classical music with the here and now, make him an ideal choice for this role.
"I am honoured and hugely excited to be appointed Chief Executive of Scottish Ensemble. I have long admired the daring and originality of this intrepid group of musicians, and their pioneering cross-disciplinary work. I look forward to working with Artistic Director Jonathan Morton, chair of the board Morag Burnett, players, staff and trustees to continue the extraordinary work of Scottish Ensemble on the concert platform, in wellbeing settings and online.”
“James is a passionate advocate for the power of music. In the years ahead, his vision and energy will enable Scottish Ensemble to widen our reach and further strengthen our reputation and sustainability. We are delighted to welcome James home to Scotland and into his new role.”
James will take up the post of Scottish Ensemble’s Chief Executive in January 2025.
About James Hardie
Born and raised in Edinburgh, James Hardie is currently Executive Director of The Marian Consort and Music Programmer at Norfolk & Norwich Festival.
During James’s six-year tenure The Marian Consort has enjoyed significant growth in reputation and reach, with debuts at the BBC Proms, Ravenna Festival, Miller Theatre New York and Bunka Kaikan Recital Hall Tokyo. Recently launching a talent development programme for emerging composers, The Marian Consort has championed new music for vocal ensemble, presenting premieres from the likes of Roderick Williams, David Fennessy and Barbara Monk Feldman at Britten Pears Arts, Brighton Festival and the V&A London.
Across five editions of Norfolk & Norwich Festival, James has worked with leading artists and ensembles to bring extraordinary musical experiences to the East of England, including the Hallé, Moor Mother, 12 Ensemble and Jasdeep Singh Degun, with premieres from the likes of Jonny Greenwood, Caroline Shaw and Cassandra Miller. He has developed long-running relationships with BBC Radio 3, BBC Introducing, Britten Sinfonia, and a host of local and national partners, and introduced a distinctive Artist in Residence recently featuring Mahan Esfahani, Laura Cannell and Solem Quartet.