Blog
Hilary Hodgson appointed as a Trustee of Gabrieli
17 January 2025
Gabrieli is delighted to announce the appointment of Hilary Hodgson to its Board of Trustees.
Hilary Hodgson is an experienced Chief Executive and Trustee. Having begun her career with Arts Council England, she later spent a decade as the Director of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation’s education programme. Most recently, she oversaw the expansion of Ormiston Trust’s work in children’s centres and schools and developed and led the charity Classics for All, embedding classics teaching in state schools nationwide.
Hilary’s understanding of the UK’s education and funding landscape, her passion for increasing access and opportunity and her experience working in partnership with schools, policy makers and funders will be crucial to Gabrieli’s leadership as we develop Gabrieli Roar as the country’s largest youth singing programme.
“Music is a vital part of a rich and rounded education and should be an entitlement for all young people, whatever their background. With singing in schools often neglected in a crowded curriculum, Gabrieli Roar’s ambitious programme offers young people a precious opportunity to engage with professional musicians and to develop their skills, creativity and musical understanding.
I am a huge fan of Gabrieli, having enjoyed their many recordings and performances over the years, and look forward to working with staff and trustees to extend their reach, inspiring many more young people, teachers and audiences across the country.”
~Hilary Hodgson
This appointment follows the recent announcement of Patrick Harrison LVO as Chair of Gabrieli and the expansion of its staff with the appointment of Susie York Skinner as Chief Executive last summer.
Having had the pleasure of getting to know both Patrick and Hilary over the last few months, I am absolutely delighted that they are joining Gabrieli and thrilled to be working with them. Charities such as Gabrieli are enormously fortunate to benefit from the time and expertise that our trustees bring to our work; I am very much looking forward to the fresh perspective and insight that Patrick and Hilary will bring, and particularly to working with Hilary on the strategic development of our education work and fundraising strategy, building on The Vinehill Trust’s exceptional recent investment in our work.
The support of our refreshed Board of Trustees means that Gabrieli is brilliantly positioned to build on our reputation as one of Europe’s leading performing ensembles, and to continue our mission to expand the national reach of Gabrieli Roar, making it indisputably the nation’s largest youth singing programme. There is much to be excited about for the future!
~Susie York Skinner, Chief Executive