Mark Pemberton OBE was for 15 years Chief Executive of the Association of British Orchestras, which exists to champion, connect and develop professional orchestras across the UK. After graduating from Oxford University he started his career in arts management as Administrator of professional touring theatre company Quicksilver Theatre for Children, before moving to leading drama conservatoires Drama Centre London as Administrator and Mountview Theatre School as Head of Development & Marketing. Before joining the ABO he was Chief Executive of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association, the UK’s representative body for amateur and community theatre, during which time he served as chair of Voluntary Arts England. He served as chair of the UK’s National Music Council, which exists to promote the interests of the music sector as a whole, from 2010 to 2022. He was awarded an OBE for services to music in the New Year Honours 2022. Since September 2022 he has been a consultant, with clients in the UK and abroad.