Can you introduce your role at Opera Holland Park?
As Head of Development, I work with Emma, Amy, and Suze in the development team to manage and grow our fundraising income. As many of our members know, the company doesn’t receive any public funding and is wholly dependent on earned and fundraising income. Opera is an expensive art form and the recurring cost of assembling the theatre alone comes to just over £500,000 each year.
That’s one reason we are so grateful for the generosity of our donors, trusts and foundations, corporate partners and of course our valued members. Each membership and ticket purchase enables us to produce high-quality work on stage and deliver real benefits to our local community through our Inspire programme. We also appreciate your advocacy, spreading the word about Opera Holland Park and introducing friends and contacts to our work. Hopefully, they too will become members, supporting our work, and enjoying great opera and a range of benefits at the same time!
The development team also works closely with our invaluable volunteers led by Stephen Ratcliffe. Volunteers give their time to support us during and outside the season, in the office and onsite. It’s a great way to get directly involved in the company, if you are interested in finding out more, please send a brief CV and email to Volunteers@operahollandpark.com
What does a typical day look like for you working at OHP?
I’m sure everyone says this, but there really isn’t one! I might start the day catching up with a donor over coffee or meeting with a potential corporate partner and end it at one of our members’ events such as the recent film premiere of Pagliacci for our Film producers. I attended my first OHP Gala Dinner this year at the Draper’s Hall and it was an incredibly special evening. A magical combination of a beautiful setting, great company, and glorious performances from our singers. I’m looking forward to next year’s already, do save the date of 11 November if you’d like to join us.
Much of my work is desk-based and we are fortunate to enjoy hybrid working at OHP. I work from home two days a week and spend three days in our Pembroke Road office with my OHP colleagues. It’s a great balance.
What was your first impression of Opera Holland Park?
On stage I was impressed by the sheer quality of the work this summer. Pagliacci was a particular highlight. Off stage I couldn’t quite believe that we only have sixteen permanent members of staff in the company! I was astonished that so few people could create such an incredible season of opera. I’m still processing that to be honest!
During my first visit to our theatre site, I was really impressed by the warmth of the welcome from the FOH staff and this continued when I met my colleagues. I was also delighted by the strength of the personal connection we enjoy with our donors and supporters. James and other longstanding members of the team seem to know everyone. I’m doing my best to catch up!
Can you run us through a whistle-stop tour of your background before coming to Opera Holland Park?
Much of my career has involved leading communications, marketing, and development teams for brands in the private, public and charity sector. This has included leading the global PR team for the Guardian/Observer, rebranding The National Archives, and setting up the first development function at the Arts Educational Schools in Chiswick.
Sheffield is my home city and growing up I was lucky to have easy access to great theatre, music, and exhibitions. This experience shaped a lifelong personal commitment to increasing access to culture for all ages. I co-founded a charity to increase family access to museums and galleries, Kids in Museums, and was privileged to serve as a Trustee, and Chair of the Development committee, for Museums Sheffield for nine years.
At the beginning of my career, I was based at the Royal Opera House and with Welsh National Opera, so this is a very welcome return to the world of opera for me. Opera Holland Park’s commitment to great work and making opera accessible to everyone, means I’m definitely in the right place!
Do you have a favourite opera?
It’s always the next one! I’m always open to new operatic experiences whether that’s a new commission or a work which is simply new to me. I’m consistently fascinated by the creative process and the choices made by the cast and production team to each and every work.
Our 2025 season is a truly diverse programme of work, the variety really appeals to me and I’m excited to see how we approach our first Wagner, The Flying Dutchman.
My first ‘opera’ experience was a family outing to Iolanthe when I was just six, so on an emotional level I’ve retained an affection for Gilbert and Sullivan.
But one of my most memorable operatic experiences was the first opera I saw in London. It was David Pountney’s production of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, starring Josephine Barstow. I was blown away by the sheer power of the production an impact that has remained with me many years later, matched only by last season’s terrific Pagliacci.
