Historic Bristol music venue St George’s has appointed its new chief executive, Samir Savant, who joins from the London Handel Festival, where he has been festival director for five years.
Samir, pictured, who has more than 20 years’ experience as a senior manager in the cultural sector, will take up his role at St George’s on September 1. 
His appointment follows the departure of former chief executive Suzanne Rolt last month to Quartet Community Foundation.
Suzanne, pictured, had led the near 200-year-old venue as director and CEO since 2006 and oversaw its transformative £6.3m extension, which opened in 2018.
She also encouraged a broader programme of contemporary, folk, jazz, world music and spoken word events, and a succession of successful classical music series, festivals and collaborations.
St George’s trustees said they were impressed by Samir’s experience, energy and vision for the organisation, adding that he brought deep understanding and broad experience as an artistic leader from his various roles at London’s arts and music institutions.
“His passion for innovation, and knowledge of audience engagement, partnership working and business development will drive the organisation’s key ambitions over the next chapter,” St George’s said in a statement.
Samir previously held fundraising and marketing positions at the Royal College of Music, Shakespeare’s Globe, English National Opera, the Royal Academy of Arts and Handel House.
He is a recognised writer and public speaker on topics ranging from the lack of diversity in the arts to the choral works written by composers in reaction to the Great War and has spoken at conferences and seminars nationally and internationally.
Samir said: “I am thrilled to accept this prestigious position and to build on the excellent work done by Suzanne and the team over the past 15 years.
“St George’s already has a wonderful reputation for classical music, and I am particularly drawn to its eclectic programme which is expanding in many interesting directions, a rich calendar of events with everything from Qawwali [a form of Sufi Islamic devotional singing] to [author and LGBT activist] Armistead Maupin.
“I look forward to getting to know the audiences and artists, supporters and stakeholders. I am keen for St George’s to be considered the natural home for a broad range of creative communities, from local to international.”
St George’s chair Ben Heald added: “Samir has a deep love of music, is a musician himself and won us over with his energy, ideas and vision for St George’s.
“You might think he’s a baroque specialist, coming from the London Handel Festival, but dig a little deeper and he’s brimming with ideas and insights from his wide love of music and the performing arts.
“He’s also got a very strong set of skills from his roles at the English National Opera, Royal Academy, Shakespeare’s Globe, Royal College of Music and most recently the London Handel Festival.”
For more information on St George’s programme, click here
