A message from Miles Wallis-Clarke, Chair of Trustees.
Over recent months we have undergone a robust and thorough process to appoint the next CEO of Sing for Pleasure. We wanted to build on the considerable contributions of recent CEOs including Steve Gregson, Manvinder Rattan and Catherine Beddison. Amongst the 111 applications we had many very able candidates who would have been more than competent in this role. Members of the Trustees and Management Team took part in the various stages of the appointment process that culminated in interviews in London on 1st March at the offices of the Philharmonia Orchestra.
We are delighted that Paul Cutts has accepted the role, and will take up the position on 22 March. As you can see from his biography (below), Paul has an impressive range of experience that spans cultural, corporate and charitable sectors. He has had a successful career in journalism, managing large organisations, inspiring people, securing substantial funding for projects and has a vast network of collaborations to draw on. He also has a passion for the transformational power of singing as evidenced in his own life.
At interview we were impressed with his appreciation of the history of Sing for Pleasure, his grasp of our current context and challenges, and how he could support our ambitions for the future. It was clear that he has the skills, intellect and experience to drive our continued evolution as we approach our 60th Anniversary. We found him to be a wonderful combination of strategic analysis, practical solutions and enthusiasm for what we do. I am very excited about all that Paul brings to SfP and look forward to seeing what he and the Management Team achieve with the support of Trustees, volunteers and members in the coming months. We know that as an organisation we have huge potential to make a considerable contribution to the choral tapestry of our country for the next 60 years through conductor training, music education, publications and sharing our passion for singing. I am confident that Paul will help us to realise this potential.
Miles Wallis-Clarke, Chair of Trustees
Biography – Paul Cutts
Paul Cutts was an international classical music journalist, critic and commentator for almost two decades. He is a trained pianist, former cathedral chorister and ex community choir director, He has written for much of the mainstream classical music press including Gramophone, Choir Organ, The Strad and Classic FM magazine. He went on to co found a successful music magazine publishing company in 2003, where he launched titles for music teachers, community musicians and classical music students.
In 2008, Paul left journalism when he was awarded the NESTA funded fellowship in creative economy on the Clore Leadership Programme. Shortly afterwards he was appointed Chief Executive of the Exhibition Road Cultural Group, the network of 24 cultural and learning organisations in London s South Kensington.
At ERCG, Paul oversaw the 28m physical redevelopment of Exhibition Road. He also mounted major public programmes including London’s contribution to Fete de la musique, introduced musician residencies at the Science Museum, V&A and Royal College of Art and co produced an international conference on sound art. He also commissioned new music to mark the anniversaries of The Ismaili Centre and the Royal Geographical Society.
Paul left ERCG in 2013 to became the first Chief Executive of the National Funding Scheme (a digital philanthropy charity) before joining world leading auction house Christie’s as Global Managing Director of Decorative Arts.
Since 2020 he has worked as a cultural strategist and consultant for a range of UK and international organisations, including as interim COO of The Building Centre (the UK’s hub for architecture and the built environment) and advising on a major cultural complex in Saudi Arabia.
Paul has also been a trustee of assorted music charities for the last 20 years, including Making Music, the European Union Baroque Orchestra, the Streatham community arts festival and most recently the City of London Sinfonia. He was music director of The Pink Singers for five years and chairman of The Bach Choir for two. Currently he is a trustee of the Borletti Buitoni Trust, a private foundation which supports outstanding international classical music talent as well as music organisations driving social change through their work.