Buxton International Festival is pleased to announce four new board members as we eagerly anticipate our 2024 festival and celebrate the 45th year our annual summer celebration of opera, music, books and jazz.
Joining the BIF board are Diane Banks, Founder and Chief Executive of the London-based talent agency Northbank Talent Management; Richard Eastwood, a former Consulting Engineer; Rebecca Anderson, a recent graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music and freelance singer and conductor; and Bradley Travis, a graduate from the Royal College of Music and the former Head of Learning & Participation at English Touring Opera.
Diane Banks is Founder and Chief Executive of London-based talent agency Northbank Talent Management, which manages the careers of authors, broadcasters, speakers and influencers.
She founded the agency in 2018 following a 20-year career as a book publisher and then literary agent. Diane has extensive arts fundraising and policy experience, having held board or advisory positions with the Conservative Arts & Creative Industries Network, which exists to facilitate dialogue between creative industries practitioners and government; the Finborough Theatre, Brixton House, the Eden Valley Museum and two Westminster think tanks, Bright Blue and The Entrepreneurs’ Network.
Richard Eastwood has a background as a Consulting Engineer, successfully running a firm of 120 people. He represented his profession as a senior officer for some 25 years, travelling internationally in his role.
Richard is a retired charity trustee of seven charities which kept him busy for more than 30 years. Richard has a passion for classical music, literature and jazz and attends many events at BIF every year. He also proudly holds a Level 3 qualification in Food Handling, Catering and Hospitality.
Rebecca Anderson is a recent graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music and has worked as a freelance singer and conductor for several years.
Rebecca works as a project manager and freelance musician across the UK. She recently graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with a Masters and a Postgraduate Diploma in singing.
Bradley Travis graduated from the Royal College of Music and has recently worked with English Touring Opera as Head of Learning & Participation.
For several years he worked in major opera and operetta roles, which he thoroughly enjoyed and his passion for opera continues.
We are delighted to have such highly skilled and talented people joining us as board members. Each individual brings a wealth of expertise, offering new perspectives, and demonstrating an unwavering passion for the arts and culture.
We look forward to working with them all.