Transformation, Teamwork, and the Future of Music: A Q&A with our new Chief Executive Chris Stones

We are thrilled to officially introduce Chris Stones as the new Chief Executive of the London Music Fund. Chris joins us with a wealth of experience ranging from grassroots initiatives to world-renowned institutions such as Glyndebourne and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

We sat down with Chris to discuss his vision for LMF, his love of "scrappy" determination, and why he believes music education is a force for transformation.

Chris’s career has come full circle. Starting his journey at a grassroots music charity in West Cumbria, he developed a deep love for the entrepreneurial spirit of small, high-impact teams.

"There’s a scrappy determination to the organisations that I’m drawn to," Chris says. "I think this part of LMF’s DNA too. To be able to go out and listen to your community and respond, you have to be flexible and agile."

For Chris, leadership isn't a solo performance; it’s an ensemble piece. He arrives at LMF with a philosophy that places community, impact and intention at the centre of every decision.

"I think a leader is only ever as good as their team. With shared intention and trust we can find the courage to take a few risks or do things differently."

Intentionality, integrity and storytelling are personally important to Chris and are also what he believes makes the arts uniquely powerful. He is clearly committed to harnessing this power to benefit the young musicians supported by LMF.

When asked which of LMF’s programmes he is most excited about, Chris gave a surprising answer: None. Instead of picking a favourite, he views our work as a "tapestry." Whether it’s a scholarship or a specific partnership, Chris believes there is an opportunity to connect every strand to build a cohesive, impactful system which is “more than the sum of its parts”. For him, the goal is Transformation, be it educational, aspirational or the wellbeing benefits that music brings to a young person’s life, but also the wider cultural and social benefits that music brings to communities.

Chris isn't afraid to trial new solutions to break down the barriers in music education. He is determined to keep LMF moving forward, driven by the belief that "you can’t step back and take it easy, you have to keep the momentum."

By fostering deep partnerships, some focused on specific goals and others built on shared values, Chris aims to expand LMF’s reach further than ever before.

There is no better way to kick off this new chapter than by celebrating the "future of music." Chris is looking forward to meeting our supporters and friends at our 15th Anniversary Concert on the 27th April at Smith Square Hall. It will be a night to witness the very transformation Chris speaks of, as our scholars take the stage to show what happens when we enable young people to access high-quality music education.