Lord Falconer, Chair since 2012, will hand over to Sir Martin, who is currently Vice Chair, at an exciting time for Sage Gateshead just after the organisation turns 15 years old and with plans to develop and improve the main auditorium, Sage One and the concourse area. Alongside this, the charity has ambitious plans for Royal Northern Sinfonia, based at Sage Gateshead, which will tour the region and internationally. Sage Gateshead’s work with Children and Young People will also continue to grow, supporting those who are most in need and encouraging young people to develop their musical talent.
Sir Martin Narey DL, whose appointment comes following an open recruitment process led by the Sage Gateshead Board, lives In Whitby in North Yorkshire. He was previously Head of the Prison and Probation Services in England and Wales and was later the Chief Executive of Barnardo’s, the children’s charity.
He now advises the Secretary of State for Education on children’s issues and has been the architect of the Government’s adoption reforms, which have seen adoptions in England reach a 36-year high. Sir Martin was awarded a knighthood in the 2013 New Year’s Honours list for services to vulnerable people.
Sage Gateshead is a charity and the support it receives helps to ensure everyone in the community can experience the joy of music.
From opening in 2004 the iconic building now welcomes more than 500,000 people a year. It nurtures the next generation of musicians for the north and its music-making and learning programme engages with 30,000 children and young people and 20,000 adults each year.
Sage Gateshead is home to the UK’s leading chamber orchestra Royal Northern Sinfonia and more than 400 concerts, featuring all kinds of local, regional and international music, take place all year round.