The troubled Royal Opera House is announcing the appointment of Sir Colin Southgate as its new chairman.

The recruitment of the 56-year-old EMI chief executive marks a break with tradition.

Previous Opera House heads have been opera and ballet buffs but Sir Colin is known more for his admiration of the Spice Girls, who he signed to one of EMI's labels.

As one of the country's top music businessmen Sir Colin is well qualified to head the troubled and debt-ridden Opera House.

His management skills at EMI have turned the company round at a time of poor overseas sales to cash in on the Britpop phenomenon and make profits of more than £5 billion.

Sir Colin, who spent 22 years in the information technology industry before joining EMI in 1983, is also an adviser to the Bank of England.

The appointment signals the determination of the Culture Minister Chris Smith to assign committed professionals rather than music or art fans to top jobs in the arts world.

Last month a damning report criticised the financial disarray and mismanagment at the Covent Garden site.

Mr Smith wants the Opera House to be more financially stable and accessible when it reopens in two years' time.

Sir Colin is said to have been looking for a public sector role but did not put his name forward for the vacancy.

Later this month another prominent arts post is expected to be filled.

The Chairman of the Granada Media Group, Geoffrey Robinson, is the hot favourite to takeover from Lord Gowrie at the Arts Council.

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©