Announcing Dr Maria Neophytou as new CEO of Nordoff and Robbins
We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Maria Neophytou as our new CEO.
Maria will join us as incoming CEO in March 2026, taking over the reins from outgoing CEO, Sandra Schembri. Maria will oversee our new strategy, focused on securing music therapy as a recognised, integrated and sustainable part of the UK’s health and care system.
About new Nordoff and Robbins CEO Dr Maria Neophytou
Maria joins Nordoff and Robbins from NSPCC, the UK’s leading children’s charity, where she has been Executive Director of Strategy and Knowledge since 2020, and also Acting CEO, ensuring smooth operations and continuity during a leadership change.
For over fifteen years, Maria has worked on strategy, public policy and research in the children’s sector through senior roles at children’s charities NSPCC, Impetus and ARK, exploring how evidence can be harnessed in aid of social change. Maria is a trustee of Dartington Service Design Lab and the Frontier Learning Trust, and an advisor to the New Britain Project.
In her early career, Maria worked as a public servant in the European Parliament and for the Equality and Human Rights Commission. She gained her PhD at Cambridge University, where her research was on gender equality and international relations.
Celebrating the achievements of Nordoff and Robbins outgoing CEO, Sandra Schembri
The Nordoff and Robbins Board of Trustees extend their heartfelt thanks to Sandra Schembri for her significant leadership through a period of change as CEO of Nordoff and Robbins from 2019 to 2026.
Under her stewardship, the charity strengthened its national presence, supporting access to high quality music therapy across the UK and delivering work across a wide range of settings, whilst also chairing the cross sector Power of Music for Health and Wellbeing Consortium, helping make music as healthcare move closer to becoming a reality for more people across the UK.
Sandra led a strategic repositioning of the organisation to be fit for a post-COVID landscape within the ‘music for health’ landscape, strengthening partnerships, driving innovation, and championing music therapy at policy and sector level.
During her tenure, the number of people reached with music therapy was more than originally projected, with nearly 17,000 people receiving music therapy through Nordoff and Robbins in 2024. Continued strong impact outcomes were also reported year on year.
Sandra worked to strengthen a positive, inclusive culture within the organisation, maintaining a clear focus on workplace health, wellbeing and engagement. Her leadership legacy will be one of impact, influence and guiding the organisation through a period of significant change.
Moving forward, Sandra will split her time between London and Hong Kong, working as a thinking partner to senior leaders, leadership teams and boards as they navigate complexity, transition, or high-stakes responsibility, focusing on strengthening judgement and surfacing what matters most.
Hear from Dr Maria Neophytou, Sandra Schembri and Nordoff and Robbins Chair, Emma Banks
Dr Maria Neophytou said: “Music therapy has the power to transform lives and change society for the better. In the face of trauma, isolation and illness, it fosters connection and healing, something that is sorely needed in today’s world. That is why I am so excited to take on the role of Nordoff and Robbins CEO at this critical time. With a formidable evidence base and so many inspiring stories to share, our purpose is to help ensure music therapy reaches those who need it most.”
Emma Banks, Chair, Nordoff and Robbins, said: “Maria’s expertise in strategy, public policy and research within sectors that closely resonate with Nordoff and Robbins meant that she was the ideal candidate to build on the strong foundations for the organisation’s next phase laid by Sandra and the wider team since 2019. As we look ahead and begin delivering our new five-year strategy to ensure long term sustainability, aiming for music therapy to be recognised as an essential health and social care service across the UK, Maria’s proven leaderships skills will be vital in helping to lead this important work at the highest level. We look forward to working with her and thank Sandra for her passion and dedication during her time with us.”
Sandra Schembri, outgoing CEO of Nordoff and Robbins, said: “It has been a real privilege to lead Nordoff and Robbins through such a defining period in its history. Together, we have strengthened the reach and relevance of music therapy, amplified our voice across health and cultural systems, and built a values-led culture that I hope continues to shape how the organisation supports its people and its purpose. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, not just in numbers, but in the lives we’ve changed. I leave knowing the organisation has a strong strategic north star, a powerful mission and a dedicated, committed team to carry the work forward.”