The highly respected euphonium soloist and adjudicator Mike Kilroy has announced his intention to stand for election as the next Chairperson of Brass Bands England (BBE).

His decision follows the announcement by Robert Morgan MBE that he is to retire from the post at the organisation’s AGM, due to be held in Barnsley on 21st July.

Suffered

Confirming his decision which was announced in British Bandsman magazine this week, he told 4BR: "In the past year or so, BBE has faced a number of serious problems that have been debated across a wide range of highly-visible public forums; it has suffered substantial repetitional damage as a consequence.

Regrettably, it seems that inflexibility and self-interest have replaced collaboration and compromise as mechanisms whereby mutually beneficial solutions could be implemented within the organisation.

This does not mean that BBE is not fit for purpose, but simply that attention has been focused away from its core objectives and, consequently, its performance in delivering against them has slipped and, in some cases, ceased altogether."

Key aims and objectives

With a great deal of criticism directed at BBE over the past year or more concerning its key performance aims and objectives, Mike Kilroy added that he felt many of them needed to be reviewed.

He added: "Despite having secured substantial Arts Council England (ACE) funding to develop brass banding in England, the key performance indicators agreed with the funders are unrealistic and unachievable, so many of these need to be realigned or renegotiated.

It is clear that the brass band community in England feels that BBE has fallen short in offering clear vision, strong leadership and a well-formed value proposition that is understood by its members.

Having considered all of the critical issues carefully and discussing these with a number of key stakeholders, it is my intention to stand for the position of Chairperson of BBE."

Collaboration

However, he is also confident that a collaborative approach with a strong focus on core objectives offers a realistic way forward for the organisation.

"If elected, I would work closely with current BBE officers, staff and volunteers, members, key stakeholders and the ACE to gain a full understanding of the current position, develop a vision of what BBE should be, then produce a strategic action plan to support the realisation of that vision," he said.

Focus

"I would ensure that BBE’s core objectives focus on the promotion and development of English brass banding at every level and facilitate a fully-integrated, collaborative approach to finding solutions to the wider issues faced by the brass band community.

Everyone engaged in this consultation process must feel valued, empowered and have a voice. Following my preliminary discussions, I am confident that this can be achieved."

Priority

One of his first priorities though is to provide possible member bands with a reason to join BBE in the future, as he explained.

"The re-focusing of BBE’s raison d’être would necessarily involve close examination of its internal organisational infrastructure and its portfolio of activities, including the British Brass Band Registry, the English National Championships, the composition of the Executive Committee, sub-committees, and its internal and external communication.

A priority is to encourage bands to join BBE by providing tangible reasons and demonstrating measurable benefits of membership."

Suitability

Elaborating on his suitability for the role, Mike Kilroy continued: "I feel that I have the professional experience and knowledge required, combined with a lifelong involvement with brass bands at all levels.

I am currently Managing Director of a company that provides strategic business development support to small and medium-sized enterprises as well as larger organisations including local authorities across the North of England.

I was previously the Head of Enterprise Development for Yorkshire and the Humber, driving enterprise and inward investment for the region, dealing with large publicly-funded projects working closely with central Government, the Office of Civil Society and the Treasury Department.

I am, of course, steeped in brass bands and care deeply about them."

Challenge

He added: "My decision to run for the Chairmanship of BBE has not been taken lightly. It’s a challenging, responsible role requiring skill, drive, commitment and diplomacy.

I would not presume to offer my candidacy if I didn’t feel able to meet those requirements or if I doubted my capability and determination to undertake this demanding and important role.

I fully understand the enormous social impact of which brass bands are capable and the important role they play in the development of young people from all walks of life.

The impact that they have had on my own development as a person, and the invaluable skills gained that I have transferred across to my commercial life, have been a key factor in influencing my decision to stand."

I would not presume to offer my candidacy if I didn’t feel able to meet those requirements or if I doubted my capability and determination to undertake this demanding and important roleMike Kilroy

Progressive

Mike Kilroy concluded: "Brass bands in England are a wonderful cultural asset, but now, more than ever, they need a structured, progressive organisation with strong leadership that many other countries with younger brass band communities already have in place.

I therefore ask bands to allow me the opportunity to work on their behalf to secure the sustainable future they so richly deserve by supporting my candidacy."

Manifesto

Mike Kilroy’s candidacy follows that of David W. Ashworth, who announced his decision to stand at the recent meeting he convened in Blackpool, at which he and his colleague, Kevin Holgate, unveiled a ten-point ‘Manifesto for the Future’, which has since been published on 4Barsrest.

BBE comment

Commenting on the emergence of two new candidates for BBE’s Chair, a spokesperson for the organisation said: "We are naturally pleased that the future of BBE, and therefore of brass bands in this country in general, has attracted sufficient interest to encourage a number of candidates to step forward.

We would like to encourage all member bands to examine carefully the attributes of these and any other candidates who present themselves, and to make their views clear by sending a representative to our AGM on 21 July and voting in what will be the most important such election in recent years."

Voting

Member bands unable to attend can, for the first time, vote by proxy, and further details of this service are available from Carol Tattersfield at secretary@brassbandsengland.co.uk