Royal College of Music appoints James Williams as next director

The Royal College of Music (RCM) has announced the appointment of James Williams to the role of director. Effective from September 2024, Williams will succeed Professor Colin Lawson CBE, who will retire from the role at the end of August 2024.

To take up the directorship, Williams will leave his current role as managing director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), with which the College has a longstanding relationship. In his new role, Williams will support the development of RCM’s more than 900 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Lord Guy Black, chairman of the RCM council said: ‘This is a hugely exciting appointment following a global search. James is a much-respected member of the music industry and his expertise, international outlook, powerful advocacy and knowledge of the music profession will be of enormous benefit to our students and the RCM’s global reputation. I know James will support the RCM community - building on the outstanding achievements of Colin Lawson and his team - as a world-leading music educator, preparing our students for successful careers across the world.’

Since taking on the position of managing director of the RPO in June 2016 Williams’ achievements include forging a new Associate Orchestra partnership with the Royal Albert Hall and establishing the orchestra’s new home at Wembley Park while overseeing international touring across the world including major tours of Asia, Europe and the USA.

Williams also brings to his new role a range of experience including an eight-year period at London’s Philharmonia Orchestra, a five-year period as programming manager at the Royal Northern College of Music as and experience running a regional branch of music education programme Live Music Now.

Williams said: ‘It is a great honour to lead the Royal College of Music into the next chapter of its development, building on the incredible successes to date and honouring the College’s founding principles and commitment to its students for widening access, advocating strongly for the value of music education and upholding the RCM’s unrivalled reputation for artistic excellence.’

Founded in 1882, the RCM was ranked by the QS World University Rankings by subject as the global no 1 institution for performing arts in 2022 and 2023. Notable RCM alumni include composers and performers such as Gustav Holst, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Benjamin Britten, Michael Tippett, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Dame Joan Sutherland, Sir Thomas Allen, Dame Sarah Connolly, Tarik O’Regan, Anna Meredith MBE, Louise Alder and Mark-Anthony Turnage.