Tony Davis | FRAes FInstTT FRSA Board Chairman Expand Tony Davis had an early interest in aviation which has led to an airline career spanning more than 30 years. In 2002 he became the founding Managing Director of a low cost airline, Bmibaby and in 2005 he was appointed as President and Chief Executive Office of Tiger Airways, a low cost airline created by Singapore, Australia and South Korea. During his time in Asia, he also served as non-executive director of the Singapore Tourism Board and served on various boards in Singapore, Australia and South Korea. Following his return to the UK in 2012, he became a partner in Irelandia Aviation, a leading airline start-up investment fund with interests in a number of Latin American countries and served as a non-executive director of Glasgow Prestwick Airport. He has had a lifelong interest in music and the arts, having been an enthusiastic schoolboy musician and his partner of more than 20 years being a professional violinist. He is Chairman of 1206 (City of Lichfield) Squadron RAF Air Cadets and a Trustee of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He previously served on the board of New College Nottingham and the Lichfield Festival and has a keen interest in youth, diversity and education issues.
Peter Helps Chief Executive Expand I trained in hotel management and worked in hotels in Geneva, Toronto, Bournemouth and Brighton (narrowly missed being bombed there) before running off to join the 'circus' in 1985, when I managed theatres for English National Opera and Scottish Opera. I joined Viva in 1995. With colleagues I continue to redefine the role of the Orchestra and push the boundaries of what a creative musical organisation can be. Whilst ensuring concert giving of the highest standard, I am also passionate about the role music can play in the development of the social skills of participants in the Orchestra’s nationally acclaimed project work. I Chair the Leicestershire Music Hub Executive Committee and am a trustee of Magna Vitae, a culture and leisure trust based in Lincolnshire. I have just assumed, for a second time, Chairmanship of the Association of British Orchestras' Chamber Orchestras Managers' Group. I am a Director of Sinfonia Viva Events Ltd, the Orchestra’s production company. I was a Board member of the Association of British Orchestras for six years and during this time co-chaired the Education Manager’s Group. I served on the original Family Friendly Arts campaign Project Board. I was a founding Director of Cultivate, East Midlands' audience and organisation development agency and served a full six year term on its Board. I participated in Capitalise, an Arts Council funded cultural leaders programme run in the East Midlands. I have led on many creative projects including being producer and tour manager of Sinfonia Viva’s Cabinet of Curiosities Tour of five locations using its inflatable venue and being the local content producer for two original, created pieces that opened and closed the Olympic Torch Relay Evening Celebration Event in Derby in June 2012. I am currently working on the culmination event for Derby City’s area opportunity fund year-long project This is Derby in June 2019. I have been invited to join many Arts working groups in Derby where currently he sits as a member of the City’s Strategic Culture Group. My interests in the arts are wide ranging including music, opera and theatre. I am an avid skier and try to get as much time on the piste as my employer will allow.
Marianne Barraclough Education Manager Expand I am Deputy Chief Executive and Education Manager at Sinfonia Viva and before that I worked for a creative arts charity based in London. I have been designing and managing creative education projects for over 15 years and I’m particularly interested in creating opportunities to inspire young and older people alike by working closely and creatively alongside professional artists. During my time at Viva the orchestra has won several awards including the prestigious RPS Music Award for Audiences and Engagement in 2018, the Best Family Event award at the Family Friendly Awards in 2016, a national Arts & Business award for a corporate training partnership with Rolls-Royce plc as well as being shortlisted for many other national awards. In 2016 I became a governor at Tower View Primary School, taking the lead as link for the creative arts and outdoor learning. In 2018 I became Vice Chair of Governors. In 2016 I became a trustee of Tom Dale Company, a creative and innovative contemporary dance company which explores the ways in which dance, electronic music and digital art come together. I became Chair of Tom Dale Company in 2018. When I’m not working, I enjoy baking, playing the flute and having fun with my family.
Matthew Lax Concert Manager Expand I graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2003 where I studied music. Whilst there, I concentrated my studies on trumpet performance and played in many of the University's ensembles including the two Symphony Orchestras, Wind Orchestra, Brass Ensemble and Big Band. When the Sinfonia Viva schedule permits, I continue to play the trumpet in the Nottingham and Derby area. I am currently a member of the Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra and Derventio Brass Ensemble and regularly play with other orchestras and ensembles in the area including the Orchestra of the Restoration, Heart of England Orchestra and the orchestras for Music for Everyone and Nottingham Bach Choir. I can also be found in the orchestra pit of several local amateur operatic societies. I also play the Organ for various churches in the Loughborough area. I am also a trustee (and currently the Treasurer) of the Nottingham music-based charity Music for Everyone.
Simone Lennox-Gordon Head of Development Expand I have been working at Viva since May 2013, which I absolutely love. Before Sinfonia Viva I enjoyed a wonderfully varied career in the arts, I have been Audience Development Officer and then Relationship Manager for Engagement and Participation at Arts Council England for 10 years - working across all art forms, Arts Marketing Manager at Nottinghamshire County Council, Marketing Manager at an off-west End theatre, a west country arts centre, a comedy festival and comedy clubs, events and promotion manager for outdoor festivals and technical management on a range of theatre productions. Viva means so much to me and we attend the wonderful concerts as a family. Viva’s education and the community projects are leading in their field of creative music delivery and I have the privilege of talking about all our work to Trust, Foundations, donors and friends of the orchestra and raising money to support all of the wonderful work Viva does.
Andrew Nesbitt Education Project Manager Expand Originally from Durham, I graduated in September 2009 with an MA in International History from The University Of Sheffield. Since then, I have worked in a variety of cultural sector jobs around Yorkshire and the north-east, before joining Sinfonia Viva in August 2012 as Education Project Manager. In my spare time, I play trumpet for 12-piece hip-hop group Renegade Brass Band, as well as drawing and painting, getting out walking in the Peak District, surfing when near the coast, and is currently struggling to learn Spanish.
Tim Jennings Marketing Manager Expand I was delighted to join Sinfonia Viva back in 2016 as Marketing Manager. Having previously worked in audience development and marketing in a range of art forms, it has been great to get a better understanding of the unique way an orchestra is managed and developed into the future. Before working for Sinfonia Viva I managed many large audience development projects, education projects and marketing campaigns for high profile organisations and events across the country, working in the fields of contemporary dance, contemporary art, film and outdoor festivals. I was born and lived down south before moving to Derby to attain a degree in English and Creative Writing. I play music of limited appeal, whenever I get the chance.