Opera North appoints executive director

Leeds-based opera company Opera North has today announced the appointment of Henry Filloux-Bennett to the role of executive director. Starting in his new role from May 2023, Filloux-Bennett will move to Leeds from his current role as executive director and deputy CEO of HOME arts centre in Manchester.

Filloux-Bennett will succeed David Collins who held the combined role of executive director and deputy CEO since October 2021 before moving to become executive director of Northern Ballet last month. In his new role Filloux-Bennett will work closely with Opera North general director Richard Mantle until his retirement towards the end of this year.

Mantle said: ‘This is a pivotal moment in the history of Opera North as we develop our strategic priorities and re-build our way out of the impact of the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis. Henry will be a key part of the leadership of Opera North into the future, bringing with him significant experience of business planning, budgetary and financial forecasting, programming, stakeholder management, commercial strategies and food and beverage hospitality.’

Filloux-Bennett’s theatre and screen credits include Nigel Slater’s Toast, What a Carve Up! And a digital production of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. In addition to his work with HOME in Manchester, Filloux-Bennett’s experience includes a period as chief executive and artistic director of the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield as well as roles including head of marketing at both The Lowry and at Nottingham Playhouse.

Filloux-Bennett said: ‘Having had a long connection with the Company, from first seeing them at the Theatre Royal and Concert Hall in Nottingham to then working with them at The Lowry in Salford and more recently at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield, the prospect of joining as Executive Director at this really exciting - but also challenging - time is one I absolutely relish.’