South African-born business psychologist Neville Osrin has been announced by the London Mozart Players as the new chairman of its board of directors, to lead the orchestra into its 70th anniversary next year.
Mozart Players’ chair: Neville Osrin
Osrin replaces Paul Archibald, the principal trumpet player in the orchestra, who is stepping down after three years in the role, while remaining on the board.
London Mozart Players is the only professional orchestra in Britain to be managed both operationally and artistically by the players, a situation which arose in 2014 when “a major funding problem” – the end of their previously generous grant from Croydon Council – saw them restructure and dispense with their professional managing director.
Founded in 1949 by Harry Blech, the London Mozart Players is the country’s longest established chamber orchestra. Previously regular performers at the Fairfield Halls, in 2016 they moved their offices from central Croydon to St John’s Church, Upper Norwood, initially, at least, for the duration of the Halls’ closure.
Today, Osrin said, “Being invited to serve as chairman of the board of one of the world’s finest chamber orchestras is both an honour and an immense privilege. The London Mozart Players’ performances and many recordings demonstrate the extraordinary and consistent quality of its virtuosity and interpretative strengths.
“I look forward with great pleasure to working with the board in meeting the many challenges facing those in the arts; enabling the LMP to thrive, while continuing to amaze and delight audiences with their peerless performances.”
Osrin is also on the international advisory board of the University of Exeter Business School, having previously worked as an executive and industrialist, including a spell as chief executive of a SAB Group company in South Africa.
As a member of the LMP Development Group, Osrin has already played a part in the orchestra’s recent initiative in the development of “Podium” – an interactive leadership programme designed to help businesses achieve greater levels of performance through the example of an orchestra’s teamwork.
The London Mozart Players also announced today that Martin Grainger, sub-principal horn for the LMP since 2014, has been appointed to the board of directors.
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