Manchester Concert Hall Limited (MCHL) is the charitable company responsible for The Bridgewater Hall. MCHL appoints and oversees the venue operator (ASM Global) and represents the wider interests of the Hall.
Manchester Concert Hall Limited Trustees
Marian Sudbury
Marian our new chair is a senior civil servant in the Department for International Trade who previously ran research based consulting businesses in the Manchester area. A mediocre classical violin player in her youth she has played folk for the last 20 years. She considers it a huge privilege to lead an outstanding group of trustees at a moment of opportunity for classical music and for the Hall.
Dr Jo Yee Cheung
Dr Jo Yee Cheung is the Chief Executive and Founder of Olympias Music Foundation – an award-winning music charity which brings communities together by providing free instrumental lessons and other cultural opportunities to low-income children and their families in Manchester. Jo is delighted to be supporting the work of MCHL to nurture a thriving musical ecology for communities, performers and audiences in the city starting from its focal point – The Bridgewater Hall.
Sally Cook
Sally is from the North East but has lived in Manchester for almost 20 years. She is an experienced, forward-thinking team leader in the arts and culture sector with a passion for equality, inclusivity, and community relevance and engagement, most recently employed as Managing Director of Psappha Ensemble and as a consultant for clients including Kirklees Council and Artichoke Trust. She was previously Director of Operations at Manchester’s iconic live music venue Band on the Wall, where she worked for 12 years.
Mark Dobson
Mark is an independent cultural consultant and adviser with senior executive level experience across performing arts, film, digital media arts, festivals and heritage. Mark provides practical support to cultural leaders, boards, local authorities and policymakers to enable artists and arts organisations to thrive. He is an associate at Culture Creativity and Place. Mark’s clients include Bradford City of Culture Bid 2025, The Leap, the Creative People and Places programme for Bradford District, Baltic, Kendal Brewery Arts Centre, DCA Consultants, Manchester City Council, Fevered Sleep, The Performance Ensemble, Peoples Palace Projects and New Writing North. Mark is former Executive Director of the Royal Exchange Theatre and Chief Executive of Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle.
Vaqas Farooq
Vaq is a leading real estate lawyer in Manchester involved in advising developers and investors on major regeneration projects in Manchester City Centre, Greater Manchester and beyond. Vaq takes a keen interest in arts and culture, and is excited about working with The Bridgewater Hall to maintain and enhance its international reputation, and also to make it more accessible and relevant to everyone in Greater Manchester.
Steven Lindsay
Steven Lindsay is an adopted Mancunian originally from Glasgow. He is an accountant by training and a corporate finance advisor by profession, most recently with Xeinadin operating nationally but based in Manchester.
Steven is a lapsing football player and avid music gig attender. He has been involved in organising music based fundraising events for People’s History Museum, Salford Lads Club, Amnesty International, Musicians without Borders and Women’s Aid. He is also a Trustee at People’s History Museum, Omega Research Foundation and Vice President at Forever Manchester charity, and was Chair/trustee at Contact Theatre.
John Rooney
John is originally from Belfast and has lived and worked in Greater Manchester since 1990. He has widespread experience in working with partners and communities to transform services and neighbourhoods. As Director of Neighbourhood Delivery at Manchester City Council, John’s responsibilities include Culture, Libraries, Galleries, Leisure and Events. His priorities for the board are widening participation and supporting the visitor economy in the most exciting city in the World.
Thomas Schmidt
Thomas is Head of the School of Arts, Languages and Culture at the University of Manchester, having previously been a Professor of Music there and Dean of Music, Humanities and Media at the University of Huddersfield. He is passionate about the role education (and higher education in particular) plays in the cultural ecosystem of Manchester and the North West, with the Bridgewater Hall as a crucial piece in that puzzle.
Nicholas Trygstad
Born in Minnesota, Nicholas Trygstad took the position of Principal Cellist with the Orchestra of Scottish Opera upon completion of his studies. Soon afterwards he was appointed Cello Section Leader of the Hallé, a position he has held since 2005. Nick has recently been appointed Head of Strings at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and taught at the RNCM for many years. In addition to his successful orchestral career Nick regularly plays in solo recitals and chamber music collaborations around the UK and has appeared as a concerto soloist. He frequently performs with the innovative ensemble Manchester Collective, of which he is also a Trustee.
Councillor Joan Davies
Councillor Joan Davies has served Manchester since 2012, representing the City Centre and later the Deansgate Ward from 2018. She works to improve collaboration among city stakeholders, focusing on making the city liveable while preserving its vibrancy. Joan regularly represents residents at Planning and Licensing hearings, ensuring balanced development that benefits the community. She sits on the Resources and Governance Scrutiny Committee and the Planning Committee, using her experience to advocate for local interests. A resident of Liverpool Road since 2005, Joan is passionate about Manchester’s dynamism and deeply values her connection to the community.