We deliver music therapy to a range of clients across the UK. This includes some of the most vulnerable people in society. We meet the growing need for music therapy by training music therapists and ensuring that their skills are not only maintained but developed. We research music-making and its potential to inform how we can support our clients and people in challenging situations.
Our music therapy is transformational and radical work, helping our clients to see their agency in a world that robs them of this connection by its very structures.
Sandra Schembri, CEO of Nordoff and Robbins
The focus of our current five-year strategy (2019-2024) is to increase the accessibility and availability of our high-quality services, especially for the most vulnerable:
Our aim is to create an environment in which every person feels a genuine sense of belonging. This starts with being inclusive, allowing colleagues to bring their whole self to work. We strive to provide equal opportunities and accessibility to all. We embrace diversity. We want to bring different voices and experiences to the table and be properly representative of the communities we serve.
Our 2024 annual report is now available to download. There you’ll find a comprehensive review of last year’s activity across our music therapy services, education, research, people and culture, governance and finance, as well as messages and insight from our Chair Trustees, Emma Banks, as well as our CEO, Sandra Schembri.
We’re committed to increasing the number of people we help through music therapy. In 2024 we reached nearly 17,000 people, which was 18% above the goal we set for ourselves. Our report features stories from clients Ruby and Stephen that show the power of music therapy. In fact, 92% of people who responded to our survey last year told us that music therapy had improved their quality of life.
Last year remained a tough year for us financially as we navigated a cost-of-living crisis and ever-changing landscape. But we want to say a huge thank you to each and every one of you who has invested in our mission. Find out more about our year by clicking on the button below to read our report.
Nordoff and Robbins is governed by a Board of Trustees. Their role is to provide a strategic overview of our organisational activities. Our Board members, drawn from the music industry, accountancy, public health and law, bring a wealth of expertise and insight.
Chair of Trustees
Emma Banks is a co-head of Global Touring and co-head of the London office at entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where she represents many of the world’s leading musicians, including Katy Perry, Muse, Arcade Fire, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Florence + The Machine, Kylie Minogue and Green Day. Her work with Nordoff and Robbins has included chairing the committee that oversees our flagship event, the O2 Silver Clefs.
Vice Chair of Trustees
As a mother of three and a graduate of the Royal College of Music, Lucy is deeply committed to music education, conservation, and sustainability. In her role as Artistic Director at AEG Presents, she is responsible for expanding the company’s live touring and events business by introducing new genres. During her 20-year tenure at the Royal Albert Hall, she revitalised events and oversaw a successful Education & Outreach programme. As a founding member of the LIVE group and chair of the venues committee, Lucy has won several awards for her contributions to the live music industry.
Trustee
Daniel is Director at OJK Business Management with over 20 years’ experience working in the Music, Sports, Broadcast, Literary and Social Media industries. He provides business management and accounting services to artists, broadcasters, influencers, management/production companies, record labels and publishing companies.
Trustee
Giles is Director of Community at award-winning orchestral charity Manchester Camerata. In this role he leads several community programmes that support children, young people and those living with dementia, through music. He is also the Programme Director for the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia, hosted by Manchester Camerata. Giles has a background in the healthcare system, holding senior roles at NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, and Samaritans. He will also join the Nordoff and Robbins Music Services sub-committee.
Trustee
Graham is a co-founder of GUITARGUITAR, a guitar and music retail business with six retail locations across the UK, ownership of which he recently sold 60% of the business to an Employee Ownership Trust for the staff. Graham supported Nordoff and Robbins Scotland for 16 years as part of the fundraising committee and then as a trustee, before joining our Board of Trustees following the merger of our two organisations.
Trustee
Bringing experience gained through a career in arts leadership and management and in music & creative education, Jane has been a trustee of Nordoff and Robbins since 2010. Formerly Chief Executive of Artswork (2010/2020), previous roles have included CEO with Coda Music Trust, and work with both Arts Council England and the Scottish Arts Council. Jane started her career as a teacher of music in the Orkney Islands subsequently becoming Head of Music in an international school. Now working freelance, Jane also chairs arts charity, Winchester Poetry Festival, and recently took up the role of Chair of the South Coast Music Partnership. In her spare time, Jane is studying for an MA with UCL and also conducts two choirs in Hampshire. With a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, she is immersed in arts, music, and creativity, and has a profound belief in their power to transform lives.
Trustee
An experienced and commercially astute Chief People Officer, Executive Lead and NED, with a track record of success in formulating and delivering diverse people strategies across UK and global operations. Chief People Officer, Severn Group (Blue Water Energy LLP Private Equity). Executive Committee member responsible for the global People Function, strategy development and implementation. ESG and Remuneration Committee Lead. Prior to Severn, as People Director at Arsenal Football Club, established the function from scratch and developed the People, EDI, and Safeguarding strategies. Prior to joining the football sector, a wealth of experience was gained at board level with over seven years in the Airline industry heading up HR functions with easyJet and First Choice. NED | EDI Advisor for: BA Hons (Dunelm) in Archaeology, MSc in Human Resources Management and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. A flair for employee engagement, learning and development initiatives, having delivered a considerable number of interventions supporting the recruitment, retention, and development of talent.
Trustee
As PPL’s Chief Membership and People Officer, Kate is responsible for maintaining and further developing the service PPL offers to its members, while also delivering a HR strategy that supports the achievement of its company goals. Kate has over 20 years’ experience as a Human Resources professional working within the retail, financial services, oil, not-for-profit and advertising industries. She also sits on the UK Music Diversity Taskforce, supporting the equity and diversity agenda. She will also join the Nordoff and Robbins People & Culture sub-committee.
Trustee
Marc has 35 years’ experience as a creative leader of high-impact campaigns and large-scale change programmes in the creative industries, business, education, international development and the arts. He has been a senior independent government adviser, a BBC commissioner, and leader of the Music Manifesto, an arts campaign that drove large-scale improvements in the education system. Marc was made an OBE in 2010 for services to music and education.
Trustee
Mervyn has worked in the music industry for over 40 years, starting as a DJ in the 1970s. After a highly successful career as an executive at Motown, Polygram, BMG and Sony Music Entertainment, in 2012 he set up a company that connects brands with talent in music, sport and entertainment. He is a trustee of Arms Around the Child and The AP Foundation, serves on the BPI’s Equality and Justice Advisory Group and the UK Music Diversity Taskforce, and is a board advisor for 56 Black Men.
Trustee
Selina has spent more than 25 years working in the global live music industry, serving as International Group Counsel for Live Nation and General Counsel for Ticketmaster, with a focus on legal strategy, communications, and corporate governance. A passionate believer in the power of music to connect, heal and inspire, Selina has long supported Nordoff and Robbins. As a trustee, she brings deep industry knowledge and legal expertise to help advance Nordoff and Robbins’ mission of using music to create meaningful and lasting change.
Trustee
Sophie is a qualified accountant who works as an independent consultant advising boards and senior leadership teams on how to lead and manage their organisations more effectively, with a particular focus on governance and risk management. She was introduced to Nordoff and Robbins while studying music at the University of Leeds and has been supporting the charity since 2016 as a member of the Music Services committee.