David Burke

David Burke became Chief Executive of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in June 2020.

David Burke became our Chief Executive following 11 successful years as the Orchestra’s General Manager and Finance Director. During this time he ensured the smooth day-to-day running of the Orchestra, leading on special projects and all financial, personnel and administrative issues.

Inclusion

David is deeply committed to issues of diversity and inclusion, and co-chairs our Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee, which has influenced future programming as well as specific activities such as LPO Junior Artists, recruitment initiatives and targeted marketing campaigns. He also led the co-production of Ravi Shankar’s Sukanya with the Royal Opera House; chamber tours to Brazil, Botswana and Sicily with the travel group Belmond; and the Orchestra’s debut at London Fashion Week with British designer Richard Quinn.

Previous roles

Prior to joining the LPO, David was Director of Administration and Finance at English Touring Opera, where he produced 14 tours including its first Baroque and Handel festivals, and established its distinctive Autumn tours. Before this he ran his own company presenting festivals and tours in the UK and Europe.

Other activities

David was awarded a BA in Management and Music from the University of London by special consent – the first of its kind – and an MBA from the Open University. He is a Visiting Lecturer in Orchestral Management at Danube University in Krems, Austria, and has guest-lectured at Royal Holloway University of London and the University of East Anglia. He is also a Trustee of English Touring Opera, having previously sat on the boards of Clod Ensemble and the Opera & Music Theatre Forum.

About David

David played clarinet, saxophone and piano in his younger days, although in reality only piano has survived in more recent years. This does, however, give him a particular appreciation of the LPO’s fantastic wind section. When he does have free time he spends it reading, listening to music, or simply enjoying downtime with his wife, Valerie, and Martha, their energetic Labradoodle.