BBC broadcaster named ISM president-elect

JESS GILLAM has been selected as president-elect at the Independent Society of Musicians (ISM), succeeding current president, cellist GABRIELLA SWALLOW and past-president, world-renowned opera singer NICKY SPENCE, in April 2026.

Host of the weekly BBC Radio 3 show This Classical Life, Gillam was the first saxophonist to reach the finals of BBC Young Musician and the youngest ever soloist to perform at the Last Night of the Proms.

She was an associate artist of the Royal Albert Hall until 2025 and was previously an artistic partner of Manchester Camerata.

Her concerto appearances have included performances with the BBC orchestras, the DSO Berlin, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, as well as the London, Royal Liverpool, and Munich Philharmonic, among others.

Gillam said: “I’m really excited to be part of the ISM’s presidential trio and look forward to working with the entire ISM family in the years ahead. The ISM has a reputation for delivering for its members as well as promoting, supporting and advocating for musicians and music educators, and I’m proud to be joining this dedicated team.”

ISM chief executive DEBORAH ANNETTS said: “These are difficult times for musicians, with the threat from artificial intelligence to creators’ jobs, Brexit issues still causing musicians great difficulty should they wish to tour Europe and the EBacc and Progress 8 still in place in our state schools, causing music to disappear from our schools.

“I know that with Gabriella, Jess and Nicky, the ISM has a wonderful team to keep delivering for our members and musicians everywhere.”