British Youth Opera appoints new chair

British Youth Opera (BYO) has announced former head of music television at BBC JAN YOUNGHUSBAND as their new chair of the board of trustees.

Younghusband commissioned programmes as BBC’s head of music and events for 14 years, overseeing events including Glastonbury, The Proms and Radio 1’s Big Weekend.

She was also responsible for TV events such as The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, One Love Manchester and Global Citizen Live.

Before joining the BBC, Younghusband was the head of arts for Channel 4, where she was responsible for the first arts reality series, Operatunity, and award-winning films such as Peter and the Wolf (2008) and Hunger (2008).

She is also a visiting professor of music business at Jesus College, Oxford.

BYO chief executive ANNA PATALONG said the appointment “marks BYO’s move into new territory”, adding that her “vast experience, passion and dedication to sharing cultural stories in relevant ways” make her the “perfect individual to lead the board of trustees as an accessible, youth-driven organisation”.

Younghusband said she is “delighted” to be able to support the “brilliant organisation”.

“The kinds of opportunities that gave me my start in the arts and specifically in opera just don’t exist anymore, which makes BYO’s mission to widen access to those careers so crucial,” she added.

Younghusband will take over from BYO’s chair of more than a decade, Sir RICHARD GREENHALGH, from 28 July.