We are sad to announce the retirement of Nigel Tully MBE as Chair of Trustees.
Nigel Tully steps down after 14 years a Chair of NYJO, having worked tirelessly as the charity’s Executive Chair from 2009 to 2021. During his tenure he has rebuilt the charity from a point of crisis, transforming it from a single big band of young jazz musicians to a national education organisation, helping young people of all ability levels and backgrounds to benefit from the opportunity to play and understand jazz. He has stabilised NYJO’s finances, widened the range of music performed and the number and size of ensembles it operated; he spearheaded the organisation’s efforts to become more diverse and inclusive, and forged partnerships with key educators nationally and internationally.
During the pandemic, Nigel led the development of NYJO’s innovative online learning platform, which will continue to be a part of our Learning offer for years to come. His final achievement as Chair has been to oversee the receipt of a transformative legacy of over £1,000,000, and we are therefore delighted that upon stepping down from the Board of Trustees Nigel will maintain a close ongoing association with the charity as Chair of our Legacy Club.
For his contributions, in time, invaluable experience, and generous donations throughout the years, we thank him.
On his retirement, Nigel Tully commented:
I have long believed that jazz is seriously under-valued in the UK, and it has been a privilege to contribute to the improving recognition of this great art form by leading NYJO for the last 14 years. It has been a tremendous pleasure to see so many excellent young musicians emerge from NYJO into the profession as rising stars, and equally inspiring to see thousands of young people benefit from jazz education as part of their preparation for life. I’ve listened to some amazing music, worked with inspirational musicians and educators, and benefitted from the generosity and support of friends and colleagues who will always have my gratitude.
Susie York Skinner, NYJO Chief Executive added:
I have been beyond lucky to have worked alongside Nigel Tully for the last two years. Nigel has been so supportive, and I am grateful for all of the time that he has continued to devote to NYJO, despite his many previous years of dedicated service. As Executive Chair he left the strongest of foundations on which to build and I am honoured by the trust that he and the board of trustees have placed in me, and excited to take NYJO on to even greater things in the future.