Man with hot potato

It's time to start counting the BBC Orchestras again - and the man with the plan is Simon Webb, currently managing the groovy outreach unit that is the BBC Philharmonic, from Salford. 

He's been appointed the first BBC Head of Orchestras And Choirs But How Many ?, and presumably came to the interview with Director of Pop  Music, Lorna Clarke with some ideas. The BBC's most recent 'strategy' used code words - 'refining our purpose', 'sharpen focus' 'creative partnerships'  etc. The orchestras and performing groups cost £25m in the last annual report. 

Simon (St Paul's Sixth Form, and BA Theology, Selwyn, post-grad cello RAM) did a little busking in Covent Garden, worked in orchestras in Hong Kong, Portugal and Ireland, before joining the LPO where he swiftly used his skills as a fixer to move to the board. A decision to settle with his family in Sheffield bought jobs with the city's Music In The Round Concerts, Arts Council stuff in Yorkshire and Humberside, and managing the Dante Quartet. He got on the Clore Leadership programme and then moved to the CBSO.