The Glasshouse

Abigail Pogson to depart The Glasshouse for London’s Barbican Centre; Fraser Anderson appointed as Interim CEO

Today, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music announces that after a decade, its CEO Abigail Pogson will depart the organisation this autumn to lead Europe’s largest arts complex, the Barbican Centre, London.

Abigail has led The Glasshouse through a transformational period of growth, change, and impact, from championing artists and young people in the region, to guiding the organisation through the pandemic and into a new era of artistic ambition. A tireless advocate for The Glasshouse and its ecosystem – artists, staff, music lovers, and people of all ages learning and discovering music – she is also a persuasive voice for the North East of England. Under her leadership, The Glasshouse has become firmly woven into the region’s fabric, having contributed £1 billion to the local economy through its activity and opened the door to music for 1.8 million young people.

The Board has appointed Deputy CEO Fraser Anderson as Interim CEO for 12 months. Fraser has played a key leadership role at The Glasshouse alongside Abigail for five years. He will bring continuity on major projects and cultural leadership experience from both inside and outside the organisation.

As The Glasshouse approaches its 21st birthday, Fraser will focus on delivering four bold ambitions: establishing a new Music Academy, a fresh chapter of artistic partnerships and creative ambition, becoming the most affordable music centre in Europe, and the most significant investment in the building since it opened. These efforts will help ensure The Glasshouse remains one of the world’s most exceptional places to experience music.

Incoming Chair Andy Haldane CBE takes up his new position at The Glasshouse on 1 October and will lead the Board search for a new CEO, alongside Deputy Chair Emily Cox MBE.

Andy Haldane said: “Even before you step through the doors of The Glasshouse you feel the passion, belief, shared purpose, and warmth that Abigail has embedded in this organisation. We are incredibly proud of the culture here, the broad range of opportunities for artists, and of the quality of experience for both musicians and audiences. In Fraser we are hugely fortunate to have a brilliant leader who has worked closely with Abigail for five years on the vision, direction, and delivery of our ambitions for The Glasshouse. Fraser brings us both continuity and embodies our culture in his work with the team. We very much look forward to working with him over this interim 12 months to take forward our ambitious programme plans, investment in the building, and fundraising campaign.”

Dinis Sousa, Music Director of Royal Northern Sinfonia, said “I feel hugely privileged to have worked with Abigail over the last five years. Her dedication to The Glasshouse and the music sector knows no bounds. The way she approaches everything with the utmost integrity and altruism is an inspiration to everyone who works with her. She leaves a great legacy in the North East and I’m very excited for her in this new chapter”.

Musician and The Glasshouse Board member, Ruth Lyon said: “As an artist venturing out on my own as a solo performer and composer, Abigail and The Glasshouse artist development team instantly made me feel welcome, relaxed in the space and confident that I deserved the opportunity. Abigail’s calm, creative and supportive approach has spread throughout the organisation and is a shining legacy that has and will continue to benefit countless artists who enter The Glasshouse.”

Abigail Pogson said: “It has been a huge honour and an absolute joy to be a part of this extraordinary organisation through its second decade. I had admired The Glasshouse from afar as it was born in 2004 and inspired by its commitment to serving the whole North East population with the very best and very widest range of music, music education, and support for musicians. I have come to know and love a deeply musical region. The opportunities as The Glasshouse enters its third decade for the creative sector to help shape a positive future for the North East are huge. I will leave with the North East forever in my heart and I can’t wait to watch Fraser and the team fulfil some bold ambitions for the future of music across the region.”

/ENDS

Media contacts:

Susie Gray, Premier

susie.gray@premiercomms.com  | 07834 073795

Jackie Thompson, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music Jackie.thompson@theglasshouseicm.org | 0191 443 4602

IMAGES – downloads

Abigail Pogson on stage with Royal Northern Sinfonia (2024)
Share the Stage: A Child of Our Time
Finn Forster at From The Glasshouse
Artist in Residence Frankie Archer
Kamasi Washington
Royal Northern Sinfonia at The Glasshouse
Royal Northern Sinfonia in Sage One
Young people in a Make Music class
The Glasshouse on the River Tyne

Lead photo credit: Aaron Stennett | Barbican

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is a home for live music lovers.

It’s a place where you can hear rock legends or pop icons on the same night as folk trios or string quartets. Where new musicians are nurtured and showcased on the same stages as platinum-selling performers. And where youth choirs and tambourine-shaking toddlers practise in the same spaces as its acclaimed orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia.

Because as an international centre for music they’re focused on creating and celebrating outstanding music – whether that’s unearthing or growing talent from the region or bringing the world’s best artists to their stages. And as a charity they’re focused on making sure all of that is available to anyone – no matter where you’re from, how old you are, how much money you have, or what challenges you face.

Which is why every year more than 2 million people are able to join for top-notch gigs, concerts, and classes – in their venue at Gateshead Quays, out in communities across the North East, and through livestreamed performances and digital lessons.

Whether you’re making it up or taking it in, you’ll find music lives and grows there.

More about The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

• Since opening in 2004, The Glasshouse has hosted over 10,000 performances, welcoming nearly 5 million audience members and a total of 8 million visitors through its doors. It would take more than 27 years to see every show if you attended one every day.
• Over two decades, the charity has delivered around 233,000 music lessons, reaching young people and adults 2.8 million times across its education programmes (1.8 million of which were young people).
• As its resident orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia has toured globally, performing across four continents and livestreaming to audiences across five. Royal Northern Sinfonia also continues to bring world-class music to communities across the country, with 58% of performances in “levelling up for culture” areas.
• The Glasshouse has supported the careers of thousands of artists like Ward Thomas who have worked their way from free stages to headline shows in its main hall, achieving national and global recognition.
• A recent report quantified its annual social value through education, inclusion and community programmes at £14.1 million.
• Since 2004, The Glasshouse has welcomed over 400,000 delegates for conferences and events, hosting organisations such as Greggs, NHS, and British Engines. Through conferences and events, it has generated £10.6 million, helping to fund the venue and support live music and education programmes.
• Over the past two decades, The Glasshouse has generated £681.2million to the UK economy with £38.6m each year in ongoing impact. It supports 700 jobs directly and indirectly.
• The iconic building, designed by Foster + Partners, has 630 panes of glass and stands 40 metres tall. In its opening year, it was exhibited at the Venice Biennale and won the RIBA Inclusive Design Award in 2005.

Celebrating 20 years, in December 2024 The Glasshouse marked its 20th birthday. Throughout the year the charity will reflect on two decades of achievements and look ahead to its third decade, with major initiatives like the Music Academy and Music Pass for newborns, making music accessible to all.