Cathedral Music Trust has today announced the appointment of Jonathan Mayes as the first Chief Executive in the charity’s history. Alongside this appointment is an exciting addition to the Board of Trustees, renowned choral and orchestral conductor David Hill MBE.


Jonathan Mayes - CEO

Jonathan brings 20 years’ experience with UK and North American arts organisations including leadership and artistic roles with Clore Leadership, the Philharmonia, Arts Council England, the Pittsburgh and Chicago Symphony Orchestras, the Southbank Centre and the Barbican.  During his six years at Arts Council England, Jonathan developed relationships with a number of orchestras, opera companies and Music Education Hubs.  As Head of Strategic Partnerships & Impact at Clore Leadership, he has led on collaborations across the cultural sector, expanding the organisation’s reach across the UK and internationally.  Jonathan spends time singing with various amateur choirs in London and is also Vice Chair of the National Children’s Orchestra.


Headshot of Jonathan Mayes


As CEO, Jonathan will be responsible for implementing the Trust’s inaugural five-year Strategic Plan. Our ambition over the next five years is to make a lasting difference to cathedral music, enabling the high standard of performance and the quality of learning to grow, increasing opportunities for participation and building a firmer support-base for the future - Jonathan will be at the centre of driving this forward. He will also be tasked with propelling our ambitious fundraising efforts, to ensure the Trust meets the future needs and challenges of the cathedral music community. This appointment will enable the Trust to work towards its vision for cathedral music: a vibrant choral music scene that champions excellence and provides opportunities for people from all walks of life to thrive and develop.

Jonathan Mayes commented: “I am delighted to be joining Cathedral Music Trust this summer.  I bring a lifelong passion for choral and organ music and an unshakeable belief in the value of the UK’s choral foundations in the musical ecology of our country. With an industry facing unprecedented challenges, the Trust’s work is a vital support for the excellence and inclusivity of the music in our cathedrals, schools, concert halls and communities.  It is a real privilege to lead this organisation towards its 75th anniversary and beyond, and I look forward to strengthening existing partnerships and forging new friendships.”


David Hill MBE - Trustee

Renowned for his fine musicianship, David Hill MBE is widely respected as both a choral and orchestral conductor. Current roles include Musical Director of The Bach Choir, Associate Guest Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of Yale Schola Cantorum. He was formerly Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers, Director of Music at St John’s College, Cambridge, and Master of the Music at Winchester and Westminster cathedrals. David boasts an impressive discography of recordings, and has been a recipient of both Grammy and Gramophone awards. His commitment to new music has led to premieres of works by leading composers including Judith Bingham OBE, Bob Chilcott, Sir James MacMillan, Sir John Tavener and Jonathan Dove. In 2018, David was honoured with the prestigious Royal College of Organists medal, in recognition of distinguished achievement in choral conducting and organ playing, and in 2019 he was awarded an MBE for services to music.

David Hill MBE added: “I am thrilled to be joining the Board of Cathedral Music Trust with its increasingly important role in supporting the music in our cathedrals and other choral foundations. The amazing choral tradition in our country needs to be maintained and developed in spite of challenging times.”


Headshot of David Hill MBE



Commenting on both appointments, Jonathan Macdonald, Chair of Trustees, says: “The appointment of the Trust’s first CEO marks an exciting new chapter in our history. Jonathan joins us at a crucial time as we begin to implement our five-year strategy. I am in no doubt that his broad experience in the music world and engaging leadership style will enable us to achieve our ambitious strategic goals, as we embark on a journey to transform more lives through cathedral music.”

“We are also delighted that David has agreed to join our Board - with decades of experience as a hugely successful choral and orchestral conductor, he will bring invaluable knowledge and insight to our organisation. David has always been a powerful advocate for cathedral music and his international profile will be of enormous importance to the Trust as we continue to build awareness of the issues facing the sector.”