A series of role changes and promotions has been announced today at Askonas Holt, one of the world’s leading arts management agencies based in central London.
In addition to making Celia Willis its newest member of the board with immediate effect, Rona Eastwood has been made senior associate director (conductors). Eastwood’s promotion recognises 40 years of contribution to the company, it says, as well as her expertise in managing world-class conductors.
Askonas Holt chief executive Donagh Collins said: ‘With these appointments, [we] celebrate two wonderful colleagues who have between them served the company for over 7 decades. It is fitting that Celia joins our board, working with me on growing and modernising the company for the future. And, it’s a perfect opportunity to recognise Rona’s vast experience and expertise in discovering and managing the world’s top conducting talent.’
Willis and Eastwood joined concert agency Harold Holt in 1985 and 1975 respectively, before it merged with Lies Askonas to become Askonas Holt in 1998. Willis’s career has seen her work alongside Diana Rix and Martin Campbell-White, managing a truly international roster of high-profile conductors and instrumentalists.
Eastwood, meanwhile, began by assisting Sir Ian Hunter to set up music festivals across the UK, including Brighton, Malvern and City of London. Previously, she worked at BBC Radio 3 and at the English Bach Festival.
Askonas Holt has also promoted Gaetan Le Divelec to the position of associate director, Terry Shew to senior artist manager, and Etta Morgan to artist manager. Staff contacts are available to view at the company’s website, as is its full roster of artists.
