We’ve appointed three new Trustees to our Board
Selina Emeny (Live Nation Entertainment), Kate Reilly (PPL) and Giles Wilmore (Manchester Camerata) are all joining our Board of Trustees.
Bringing a wide array of expertise and knowledge, the trio join the Board of Trustees in support of our ambitious goal of transforming more lives through music. Working with Chair, Emma Banks (CAA), Vice Chair, Lucy Noble (AEG Presents) and other Board members, they will ensure that we fulfil our charitable purpose and help to steer our long-term strategy and goals.
Our new five-year strategy focuses on working with the wider ‘music for health’ ecosystem, to see music therapy firmly established as a recognised, integrated and accessible form of health care. To achieve this, we’re developing a sustainable network of music therapists and quality services for the future, making sure we have a robust and diverse pipeline of talent through our Master of Music Therapy (MMT) programme, investing in musical training informed by the ‘Nordoff Robbins approach’ for teachers, carers and parents, and using our influence in conversations within music and health policy spaces.
Our new Trustees
Selina Emeny 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.
As PPL’s Chief Membership and People Officer, Kate Reilly 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.
Giles Wilmore 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.
Emma Banks, our Chair, said: “We are delighted that Selina, Kate and Giles have joined our Board of Trustees. All three bring a wealth of experience from within the music and health industries and as we strive for a future where music therapy can support even more people, we are privileged to have them on this journey with us. Trustees uphold our values, reputation and credibility with their words and actions, advocating for our work with all our stakeholders and the public. With their support, the Board and Nordoff and Robbins will continue to work together effectively, committed to the constant improvements essential to good governance.”
Sandra Schembri, our CEO, said: “Selina, Kate and Giles will be at the heart of real change not just for Nordoff and Robbins, but the people we serve and exist for. Radical listening is a key part of our music therapists’ work, and we took significant time listening ‘on the ground’ to help shape our 2025-2030 strategy. Millions of people could benefit from music therapy, but we can’t reach them on our own. This is why we hope to grow and develop our ecosystem beyond just Nordoff and Robbins, alongside ensuring financial sustainability, influencing policy, exploring new income streams and focussing on our quality and depth of work, all whilst increasing impact for our clients. Our Board of Trustees is a visible, active, approachable and valued part of the organisation and these new additions will be of great benefit to realising our ambitious vision.”
In a joint statement, Selina, Kate and Giles commented: “As the UK’s largest music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins has the chance to make music therapy a vital part of health and social care. Personally and professionally, we have supported this important cause for many years, and are honoured to now help sustain and grow its impact. Guided by its values of people, music and quality, we look forward to working with our Chair and Board to help more people connect and communicate through the power of music.”
An update on our sub-committees
In addition to the Board appointments, there have been three appointments onto our sub-committees. Suzie Power and Prof Norma Daykin have been appointed to the Nordoff and Robbins Music Services Committee, which ensures strategic alignment and quality across our music delivery, education and research. They officially join on 17 October. Gregor Pyror has been appointed to the Nordoff and Robbins Finance and Risk Committee, which assists the Board in its duty to supervise our financial affairs and audit procedures.
Suzie Power has personal lived experience of music therapy and extensive experience of patient advocacy, chairing Quality and Performance, and Patient and Public involvement committees. She is a non-Executive Director at an NHS integrated care Board and is a member of the Disabled NHS Directors Network. Prof Norma Daykin is a leading academic in arts, health and wellbeing. Now Professor Emerita at UWE Bristol, her background has focussed on music for social change. She has worked as a community music practitioner and directed several projects, as well as holding trustee roles with Bristol Reggae Orchestra and Plymouth Music Zone. Gregor Pryor currently serves as the Managing Partner for Europe and the Middle East at global law firm, Reed Smith. He is widely recognised as being one of the world’s leading lawyers in digital media, regularly working with artists, management, record labels and music publishers, as well as global distributors and technology companies.