David Pickard

Arts Consultant

David Pickard studied Music at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge before starting his career at the Royal Opera House. In his early working life, David worked at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park and was the Assistant Director for the Japan Festival before becoming Sir John Drummond’s deputy at the European Arts Festival.

In 1993 he was appointed Chief Executive of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment where he significantly increased the orchestra’s artistic reputation and international profile, helping to establish the OAE as the pre-eminent period instrument orchestra in the world.

In 2001 he was made General Director of Glyndebourne Festival where throughout his tenure he created an extensive digital programme including online streaming, big screen and cinema relays and broadened the company’s audience base through specially priced performances for young people and a pioneering education programme.

From 2015 to 2024 David was Director of the BBC Proms where he expanded the breadth of the Proms by reaching new audiences across the UK and increasing the diversity of artists, composers and collaborators.

David now works as a freelance arts consultant where his projects include mentoring, strategic planning, board membership, speaking engagements and serving on competition juries.

April 2026

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