Verdict on ACE settlement for orchestras is “could have been worse”. It’s testimony to the work the ABO and its members have done to advocate their relevance and public value. But the cuts to opera are of huge concern, and show that opera companies need a collective voice.

Yesterday I was delighted to be presented with an OBE by His Majesty The King, for services to music. We had an animated conversation about the state of orchestras and opera.

Just been hearing at Pearle* conference in Paris that the annual budget for culture in the city of Antwerp is a staggering €164 million

Now hearing about cultural spending in the Czech Republic. Cities spend 10-12% of their budget on culture, and there are 10 opera houses in the country including 2 in Prague. How shameful that a city as large and rich as London is now going to lose one of its opera houses.

Delighted to be speaking at PublicPolicyExchange event 'Promoting the Cultural Industries & the Hospitality Sector: Building Back from Covid-19 & Dealing with the Energy Crisis' on 8 Dec publicpolicyexchange.co.uk/event.php?even…–PPE

A hugely productive 3 days at #abo2023. Great to talk to so many orchestras about the opportunity of using Newzik to make the shift from paper to digital scores.

A showcase for world class orchestras: my reflections on what the Coronation means for classical music today artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/artic…

Thrilled to be leading this crucial discussion on audiences at Orchestras Now! International Orchestras Conference, 6-8 Sep. I would love to see you there! #OrchestrasNow #NFM #Improvement #whova whova.com/portal/onioc_2…

We are underway with international Orchestras Now! conference at NarodoweForumMuzyki, welcoming delegates and speakers from across four continents nfm.wroclaw.pl/en/orchestras-…

Linton Stephens challenges delegates at ABO #abo2024 to innovate and take risks. Let's start with shifting from paper to digital! It's time for orchestras to embrace digital technology. I'll be happy to chat to delegates about Newzik

A simple reply to the accusation that the UK has too many orchestras. There are 15 symphony orchestras in the UK - one for every 4.5 million citizens. Finland also has 15 - one for every 400,000 citizens. We need more orchestras! #abo2024

Great to get such positive feedback from my keynote speech at the conference of Association of Finnish Orchestras, outlining how British orchestras are adapting to a changing political and financial landscape.

Basking in a successful #AudioClassique in Bruges, bringing together the classical recording industry alongside delegates at the IAMA Conference. Thanks to BPI PRS for Music @Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine for being sponsors and partners of the event.

Sorry Classical Music but your article on Orchestra Tax Relief contains an error. The relief rate has been set permanently at 45% from 1 April 2025. See gov.uk/government/pub…

A new model for arts funding in England With Labour's review of Arts Council England on the horizon, arts consultant and former ABO chief executive Mark Pemberton puts forward his thoughts on a new structure for the Arts Council classical-music.uk/opinion/articl…

Breaking down the Budget What does Labour's autumn Budget mean for classical music? Mark Pemberton explores how the changes brought in by the new government will affect the UK’s cultural ecosystem Mark Pemberton classical-music.uk/opinion/articl…