Michael Eakin OBE is to stand down as Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society in March 2025 after 17 years leading the organisation. 

Achievements in this time have included the £14m refurbishment of the Hall, the creation of a second performance space, the development of the In Harmony Liverpool programme and NHS Music and Health Programme, and the expansion of the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company alongside the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir. He has also led the organisation during Covid, where Liverpool Philharmonic presented a series of live orchestral concerts at Liverpool Harmonic Hall. During his tenure, he has worked with Chief Conductors Vasily Petrenko – under whom the orchestra won two Gramophone Awards – and Domingo Hindoyan.

Louis Shepherd CBE, Chair of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society Board, says: ‘I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Michael for his exceptional leadership over the past 17 years. Michael’s tenure has been nothing short of transformative. His visionary approach has not only strengthened our financial foundation, but also has significantly expanded our reach and impact within the community.’

Eakin himself said: ‘I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with an exceptional team, and any accolades I received are a testament to their dedication and hard work as much as my own contributions. As I step down, I leave with a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to have been part of this remarkable journey.’

Eakin joined Liverpool Philharmonic after working at Arts Council England where he had been Executive Director North West; before this he was Director of Arts and Leisure for Reading Borough Council. He is currently Chair of the Liverpool City Region Music Board and formerly Chair of the Association of British Orchestras and a former Vice President of the Theatrical Management Association (now UK Theatre). In 2022 he was awarded an Honorary Degree by the University of Liverpool due to his contribution to arts and culture in Liverpool. In 2023 he was awarded an OBE for his services to the music and the community in Liverpool.