Odd call: Birmingham appoint Tony Hall
NewsThe City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra has named Lord Hall of Birkenhead, 72, as its Board Chair.
Hall was director-general of the BBC, stepping down in 2020 and heavily criticised the following year in a Parliamentary investigation into methods used by the BBC’s Martin Bashir in securing an interview with Princess Diana. Hall also resigned as chair of the National Gallery.
The CBSO have now given him a clean bill of health for public office.
The small coterie atop British public institutions are expert at “washing” their reputations by failing upwards.
That’s how the establishment works.
It’s perfectly simple: regional orchestras need clout and political connections. Pragmatically speaking, a well-connected London bigwig who’s repeatedly effed up at a high level is nonetheless more likely to have an influence on national funders (private or public) than a highly skilled, superbly competent professional who has made an admirable career primarily in Birmingham (and by all accounts there were strong candidates who fitted this description).
Because that’s how the UK works. You want influence? It’s not about ability. You just have to be in with the London club. This is a shrewd appointment.
So now we have a Chief Exec who knows sweet F A about music and a Chair whose been sacked down in London. Great. Sigh.
However valid your points, it’s dishonest and deeply irresponsible of you to post using the initials of a member of the CBSO who has dissociated themself from your views. You should really – really – stop doing this.
Ok, yes but he was also Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House and responsible for it becoming an absolute powerhouse on the world stage, so if I were CBSO, I would be pretty darn pleased with this appointment..
Actually, Tony Hall decimated the ROH orchestra. Reduced pay,players,conditions, but increased admin – that’s why it’s in helluva state now.
Look what he covered up at the BBC!
Tony Hall wasn’t running the BBC at the time of the Martin Bashir interview. He also ran the Royal Opera House for some time during which they had more successful productions, more reasonable ticket prices (and hence sales), and better pay for artists, as well as increasing their community outreach work.