Award-winning music education charity Music Masters has appointed Stuart Mason as Chair of its Board of Trustees, replacing Simon Freakley who steps down after twelve highly successful years in the role. In recent years, the charity’s growth has seen the launch of industry-leading initiatives including its Diversity and Inclusion programme for the music sector, I’M IN, and postgraduate teacher training qualification, Musicians of Change (PGCEi).
Through this programme’s national network of over 100 highly trained graduate teachers, Music Masters currently reaches around 20,000 children in some of the UK’s most underserved communities.
A senior business executive and parent of the extraordinary Kanneh-Mason family, Stuart will oversee the next crucial stage of the charity’s development strategy, which seeks to increase its impact on a national scale. This will include new activity with schools, teachers and the music sector, as well as partnership-building work to address the systemic issues that affect access to music education and opportunities for young people.
Currently on the Board of Trustees at Music Masters and Wigmore Hall, Stuart is Senior Vice President Commercial at Belmond, a global luxury travel company. Born in London to Antiguan parents, Stuart knows first-hand how a free and excellent music education can change a child’s outcomes. He played piano and cello, benefitting from instrumental lessons as well as free participation in a youth orchestra, and witnessed how a policy of inclusion benefitted his own children in their Nottingham state school. Stuart’s son, renowned cellist Sheku-Kanneh-Mason MBE became the charity’s Patron in February of this year, sharing the family’s commitment to promoting access and diversity in music education and, crucially, to challenging inequalities in the music sector.
Stuart takes over the role of Chair from Simon Freakley, Chief Executive Officer at AlixPartners. Simon’s leadership, passion and commercial acumen have been fundamental in helping Music Masters grow from a locally focused charity to a nationally significant organisation, reaching over 35,000 children and young people UK-wide. Simon will continue to remain closely involved with the charity as part of its Advisory Panel.
Incoming Music Masters Chair Stuart Mason said:
“Every child is creative. Every child needs the chance to find and fulfil their creative ambition. As parents of the Kanneh-Mason children, Kadiatu and I knew we wanted music to be part of our children’s lives and we also know what it means to have help along the way. As Chair of Music Masters, I’d love to give back and lend my voice – to share the Music Masters story and help children in their hundreds and thousands to fulfil their creative potential.”
CEO of Music Masters Roz De Vile said:
“Stuart is a remarkable role model who truly believes that every child deserves to experience the joy and wide socio-emotional and educational benefits that music can provide. He is a superb successor to Simon, who has been a huge part of Music Masters’ story and success since 2012, and to whom we are exceptionally grateful. Stuart steps into the role of Chair at an exciting time for Music Masters and I look forward to working side-by-side with him as we seek to bring high quality musical opportunity to thousands more children and young people across the UK.”
Former Chair of Music Masters Simon Freakley added:
“I’m extremely proud of what Music Masters has achieved during my time as Chair. The positive impact that access to music has on so many young lives cannot be underestimated, and I have greatly enjoyed playing a role alongside Music Masters’ founder Victoria Robey and CEO Roz De Vile and the whole Music Masters team. I wish Stuart every success as Chair of this truly remarkable organisation and look forward to seeing its continued growth.”
Music Masters aims to empower young people through music, supported by pro-active teachers, diverse role models and a truly inclusive music sector.
More at www.musicmasters.org.uk
