ENO’s trustees to bring ‘strong connections’ to Manchester

English National Opera (ENO) has welcomed three new board members from Greater Manchester as the company seeks to strengthen its ties to the region as it navigates its relocation to the area, which will see it “firmly established” by 2029.

Professor MALCOLM PRESS CBE and VANDA MURRAY OBE, will take up roles as trustees in February 2026, alongside CAROLINE JULIAN, who joins the board this month.

Press has served as vice chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University since 2015, and is an ecologist and higher education leader, holding several national and international advisory and trustee roles.

Murray currently holds roles as chair of Marshalls plc and Yorkshire Water, and was previously CEO of Blick plc.

Julian is brand and engagement director at British Cycling, with experience in communications, marketing and cultural policy .

Along with the rest of the board, the three new members will support ENO’s Greater Manchester Partnership as the company embarks on a programme of productions and projects in the region ahead of its move.

ENO announced it would be coming to Greater Manchester almost three years ago after a directive from Arts Council England to leave the capital or lose its annual public funding. The company will continue to maintain a London presence.

ENO chair LOUISE JEFFREYS said the company was “delighted” to welcome the new trustees.

“Their depth of expertise, leadership experience and strong connections to Greater Manchester’s cultural, civic and business communities will be invaluable as our partnership with the city region continues apace, while also strengthening ENO’s ongoing work in London and across the country,” she said.

Julian added: ‘What attracted me to ENO is its ambition to be a truly national company – rooted in Greater Manchester and London while strengthening its reach, engagement and impact with communities nationwide.”