Julia Desbruslais to step down as executive director of the London Mozart Players

Julia Desbruslais, executive director of the London Mozart Players, will step down from her role at the end of 2021. 

A member of LMP since 1989, Desbruslais is the orchestra's co-principal cellist. She has been executive director since January 2016, after the players took over the running of the orchestra.

Under her direction, the LMP has seen the reopening of the refurbished Fairfield Halls, and a lively programme of events not just at its home, the Church of St John the Evangelist in Upper Norwood, but around the world. Throughout the pandemic, the orchestra has pioneered the digital space with experimental performances.
 
Julia Desbruslais commented: 'When I took over the running of the LMP I gave myself five years to turn things around, but that deadline coincided with the arrival of the pandemic and so I have stayed a little longer than I planned.

'It's now time to step back and let the orchestra fly without me. I am so fortunate that I have been surrounded by incredible people in the management team and inspirational musicians in the orchestra who have supported me throughout this rollercoaster ride and helped us to keep our music playing.

'The pandemic released this amazing creativity from within the LMP which has helped the orchestra to reinvent itself for the twenty-first century, kept it relevant and demonstrated how powerful we can be when we all work together. It has been wonderful to be part of such a giving team – from Management and Trustees to the LMP musicians – where there is so much mutual respect.
 
'Reflecting on all that has been achieved over the past few years, I am certain that we are in now in a really strong position to plan for the future, and this is the right time for me to step back and allow some fresh thinking to take LMP to the next stage.

'I have loved this orchestra with a real passion and it has absorbed almost every fibre of my being, but I know it is time to remind my family what I look like and for there to be time for thoughts that don't begin with 'What opportunity can we find in this situation that will allow the LMP to flourish!''
 
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