THANGAM DEBBONAIRE TO HEAD NEW UK OPERA ASSOCIATION
OperaUpClose is proud to be a founding member of the newly launched UK Opera Association, an initiative bringing together 20 companies to strengthen opera across the UK. UK Opera Association (UKOA) is a new trade body representing the UK’s opera sector, bringing together an initial group of 20 opera companies to strengthen the future of opera and ensure the art form continues to thrive across the country.
The founding companies cover a range of scales, ways of working and geographical reach. They are:
Birmingham Opera Company
British Youth Opera
Buxton International Festival
English National Opera
English Touring Opera
Garsington Opera
The Grange Festival
Glyndebourne
Longborough Festival Opera
National Opera Studio
Opera Europa
Opera North
Opera Rara
OperaUpClose
Pegasus Opera Company
Royal Ballet and Opera
Scottish Opera
Streetwise Opera
Tête à Tête
Welsh National Opera
UKOA will act as the collective voice for opera in the UK, advocating for the sector, championing artistic excellence and innovation, and promoting opera’s significant contribution to national life - from enriching communities and cultural identity to supporting economic growth and developing creative and technical skills. By uniting the sector, UKOA aims to ensure opera continues to evolve, reach wider audiences, and play a meaningful role in the UK’s cultural and economic landscape.
In a significant appointment, Thangam Debbonaire, former Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and a trained classical musician, has been named as the organisation’s inaugural Chief Executive (CEO). She is joined by Bob Willard Watts, a cultural leader with more than 15 years’ experience in the arts and creative industries, who takes on the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Thangam Debbonaire, CEO, UK Opera Association said:
“It’s an honour to be asked to serve the UK’s wonderful opera sector as the CEO of the newly launched UK Opera Association.
Opera as an art form is at such an exciting time and there is such strength in the diversity of work, approaches, settings and people involved – we have a great story to tell. This story is one which needs to be heard more widely if we are to make sure opera sustains and develops into the future.
I’m delighted to bring my professional background in music and my experience in policy-making and politics to serve this cause – as well as my deep and lifelong connections to opera in particular. I look forward to developing relationships, being an advocate and champion for opera wherever it is needed and assisting the sector to demonstrate as widely as possible the value it brings to arts, culture and our national life.”
Bob Willard Watts, COO, UK Opera Association said:
“I’m delighted to be appointed COO of UK Opera Association. Having worked in opera at many different scales, I know the impact that this wonderful art form can have.
The launch of UKOA marks an important step forward for the opera sector. I look forward to working with the CEO, Board and wider sector to establish the association,
and foster the collaboration that will allow the UK's diverse opera sector to speak with a collective, powerful voice.”
UKOA will:
Be the collective voice for the full breadth of the UK opera sector, from pop-up performances to national companies
Promote the UK’s extraordinary operatic talent and champion continued artistic excellence and innovation
Celebrate opera’s contribution to the UK’s cultural and economic life by enriching communities and developing creative and technical skills and occupations
Advocate for policies and investment that support creative ambition, a strong and stable workforce and audience growth
Promote diversity, accessibility and sustainability across the sector.
UKOA membership is open to opera companies and organisations across the UK, with fees set in proportion to turnover.
Thangam Debbonaire
Thangam Debbonaire is the Founder and CEO of Red Frock Ltd, providing strategic and communications advice to major arts and culture organisations across the UK. She is a Labour peer and former Member of Parliament, and as Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport played a key role in developing policy for the incoming Labour government. Before entering Parliament, Thangam held prominent roles at organisations working with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and also performed as a professional cellist for over 30 years, specialising in chamber music and music for theatre.
Bob Willard Watts
Bob Willard Watts comes to UKOA after more than 20 years working in the performing arts across management and strategic roles at organisations including Mama Festivals, LiveNation and Secret Cinema, as well as Royal Ballet & Opera, Glyndebourne Festival, National Ballet of Japan and Momentum Worldwide. Bob led the strategic development and successful launch of Creative Tunbridge Wells, a hub for Tunbridge Wells’ creative scene that connects and supports artists, businesses, and cultural institutions to spark innovation and growth, and has served as its Executive Director since 2023.
UK Opera Association’s Board of Directors
Drawn from opera companies working at a range of scales and with audiences and participants from across the spectrum. The UKOA Board of Directors are:
Melvin Claridge – Talent Director, Pegasus Opera Company
Richard Davidson-Houston – Chief Executive Officer, Glyndebourne
Mark Heholt – Director of Policy and Strategy, Royal Ballet and Opera
Flora McIntosh – Artistic Director and CEO, OperaUpClose
Robin Norton-Hale – Artistic Director and CEO, English Touring Opera
Nicholas Simpson – Executive Director, National Opera Studio
Rachael Williams – Chief Executive Officer, Streetwise Opera
This is an interim board which will be in place until autumn 2026. The CEO and COO will work with the members of the UK Opera Association over the coming year to agree the process for the election of the Board of Directors.
The founding companies of UKOA are grateful to the Arts Council England for a grant of £25,000 towards set up and initial running costs, before membership fees become payable in early 2026. For more information please go to www.ukoa.net.
