Former Askonas Holt chief executive, Martin Campbell-White has been made an Honorary Member of the Royal Philharmonic Society in recognition of his outstanding services to music.
The first artist manager to be awarded with honoury RPS membership, Campbell-White was presented with the honour yesterday (Sunday 1 June) by RPS Gold Medal-winner Sir Simon Rattle at a London Symphony Orchestra concert at the Barbican.
In its citation, the RPS names Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Andrew Davis, Daniel Harding, Edward Gardner and Robert Ticciati as having been among those 'nurtured, managed, advised and supported in their careers by Martin Campbell-White.'
The citation goes on: 'Martin has given generously of his time – he was a Director of the London Sinfonietta and the Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, and has done much pro-bono work for charitable causes including his current position as a trustee of Help Musicians. The world of classical music both in the UK and internationally would be a poorer place were it not for Martin’s tireless dedication to its mission to bring life enhancing experiences to audiences here and across the world.’
Martin-Campbell started his 40-year artist management career with Ibbs and Tillett in the late 1960s, joined Harold Holt in the early 1970s and subsequently led the merger with Lies Askonas in the late 1990s to form Askonas Holt. He stepped back earlier this year at the age of 70 from his role as joint managing director of Askonas Holt, but continues to work with them as a consultant.
Christine Laifa