BANKS TO CHAIR NORDOFF AND ROBBINS

CAA’s veteran U.K. agent Emma Banks has been named chair of music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins. She takes over from David Munns, who is stepping down after 14 years.

In her new role, Banks will oversee Nordoff and Robbins’ mission of using music therapy to help break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability and social isolation. She will be supported by newly appointed Vice Chair Lucy Noble, who takes over from Howard Jones.

Sandra Schembri, CEO of Nordoff and Robbins, called Banks “a hugely respected figure in the music industry and beyond.” She continued: “We are grateful for Emma’s time, presence and energy as we now leave the challenges of recent years behind and look ahead to a bright future.”

Banks, co-head of CAA’s London office and of international touring, is a longstanding supporter of Nordoff and Robbins. She has chaired the committee of the charity’s flagship O2 Silver Clef Awards for the past decade and joined the Board of Trustees in 2019.

Banks called her new title “a true honor.” “The music industry has loyally supported and championed this vital charity for many years, and I embrace the responsibility of building on David’s legacy with the support of Lucy and the Board of Trustees, continuing this essential advocacy far into the future.

“We have an incredibly strong board that we will be looking to add to in the coming months as our new strategy develops, and I welcome anyone who is interested in becoming involved with Nordoff and Robbins to reach out to me.”

As part of its new strategy, Nordoff and Robbins will continue using music to address injustice across society, lobby for policy change on behalf of its clients and encourage a more diverse pool of musicians to train as music therapists.