![image: [ The Opera House needs Sir Colin more for his business acumen than his ear for music ]](/olmedia/45000/images/_47319_opera.jpg)
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.
Royal Opera board offer to resign
(04 Dec 97 | UK)
Royal Opera House chairman steps down
(04 Dec 97 | UK)
Opera chief promises financial turn around
(04 Dec 97 | UK)
Royal Opera House in cash crisis
(31 Oct 97 | UK)
Royal Opera House
Chris Smith MP
The history of EMI
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