Three Choirs Festival appoints new chief executive

The Three Choirs Festival has today announced the appointment of David Francis to the role of chief executive. He succeeds Alexis Paterson who steps down after the 2024 Festival to become the senior music programme producer at Oxford University’s new Schwarzman Centre concert venue.

Francis will join the Three Choirs Festival in the autumn after relocating from Australia to take up the position. He joins the festival from his current role as CEO of Wollongong Conservatorium of Music in Australia.

Talking about his new position, Francis said: ’I am delighted to be joining the team at the Three Choirs Festival as the next CE of this incredible and historic festival. As a singer and chorister myself I can’t think of a better context in which to apply the skills I’ve developed over a number of years leading arts organisations in the UK and Australia. I am looking forward to joining the team, reigniting working relationships with colleagues and building on the incredible legacy and success of the Three Choirs Festival.’

Francis brings to his new role experience gained across senior positions with the BBC Symphony Chorus, CBSO, Arts Council England and Dartington Hall Trust, and as a major contributor to (and first manager of) the PRS Foundation. He moved to Australia in 2014 to take up the post of general manager with Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, which under his leadership secured resident company status at Sydney Opera House in 2019 and celebrated its centenary in 2020. While in Australia, Francis also developed regional arts organisation Four Winds Concerts Inc in Southern New South Wales, building it from a biennial classical music festival to a year-round presenting organisation with a music education program and Youth Festival.

Three Choirs Festival board chair Naomi Belshaw said: ‘I am very excited for this new chapter in the Three Choirs Festival as we look towards the celebration of the 300^th edition of the festival in 2028. We find ourselves in challenging times for classical music in the UK, and David has the skills and expertise to see the organisation through this to continue to bring unforgettable performance and world-class music to the counties of Hereford, Worcester and Gloucester, reaching audiences both locally and nationally. David’s passion for choral and classical music will further bring new energy to this wonderful festival with a rich and inspiring history.’