Exit stage left: Boss of Birmingham's Town and Symphony Halls retires
A popular chief executive of two much-loved Birmingham concert venues has retired after 27 years.
Andrew Jowett OBE was chief executive of Performances Birmingham Ltd – the charitable company which manages Symphony Hall and the Town Hall.
Mr Jowett said he felt that the time was right to step down from managing two of the World's finest concert halls.
He said: "During my career I have had the extraordinarily good fortune to manage two of the world's finest concert halls, Symphony Hall – which is now approaching its 25th anniversary – and Town Hall since 2007.
"Now after many years of nurturing and watching these halls blossom and grow, I feel the time is right to step down and look to spend the next few years embracing new challenges."
Nick Reed, from Kidderminster, will now take over the running of the venues. He previously worked at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall.
Mr Jowett added: "I am immensely proud of all of the achievements of the team over the years, and following the appointment of my successor, Nick Reed, I am confident that the hall will continue to develop and grow. I wish Nick Reed every success and look forward to keeping in touch with the continued development of Town Hall Symphony Hall and its programme."
Andrew Jowett was appointed director of Symphony Hall in 1988 – three years before it opened in 1991 to widespread public and critical acclaim – and also managed Town Hall, having overseen its hugely successful re-opening in 2007.
In 2011 Andrew was awarded the Birmingham Civic Society's gold medal for services to the arts in Birmingham, and in 2012 was recognised for his outstanding lifelong contribution to music when made an OBE.
