Agenda item

Report of the Managing Director

Members received a report of the Managing Director providing updates from the Barbican Directors on their respective areas. The Directors spoke to each update, with a number of questions asked by the Board:

Sir Simon Rattle - Artist in Association: In response to the news that Sir Simon Rattle had agreed to become the artist in association with both the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Members sought clarification as to what this role would entail. It was clarified that the role would not be remunerated and that no formal contract was in place, this was an informal agreement which would mark the beginning of a discussion as to what form exactly his contribution would make.

Centre for Music: Whilst expressing their appreciation for the fast-moving nature of the developments around the Centre for Music, a number of Members expressed concerns that they were not sufficiently sighted on the feasibility study’s progress and sought clarification as to when they might have the opportunity to receive an update and offer constructive critique on the findings to date. The Managing Director advised that the intention had been to bring the findings of the interim report to this meeting to provide that very opportunity; however, the interim report had unfortunately not quite concluded in time for this to be possible. He agreed that it was important that Board Members were kept informed of progress and the direction of travel, advising that he would share the findings of the interim report with Members as soon as they were received. He also noted that the input of the Board would be particularly crucial once the feasibility study was complete and discussions as to the next phase began.

RECEIVED.