MCO Chairs Circle

Michael Beverley

Michael Beverley is Joint Founder and Vice-Chairman of OneMedical Group. From 2013-2019, Michael was Chairman of the MCO Board. He has also served as Chairman of Opera North (1998-2010) and Leeds Philharmonic For twelve years (1991-1997).

An experienced businessman, philanthropist and long time supporter of performing arts organisations (particularly music), Michael has chaired the Board of several businesses, and supported a number of charities focused on helping disadvantaged children. Since 2021, he has chaired the capital appeal for Leeds Children's Hospital. In 2017, the Michael Beverley Innovation Fellowships were established at the University of Leeds to support medical innovations.

Prior to his involvement in healthcare, Michael was the UK Regional and Senior Partner for Arthur Andersen, retiring in August 2001. From 2000-2006, he was a government-appointed member of the Department of Trade & Industry’s Industrial Development Advisory Board.

In 2000, he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire by the Queen Elizabeth II. Michael is a lifelong Leeds United supporter, and served on the club's Board from 1988–1995.

David Brierwood

David Brierwood has played a significant leadership role in the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras for over a decade. He served as Chair of the Monteverdi Trust from 2009 to 2015, during which he worked to simplify and strengthen the organisation’s governance and was active in widening the circle of supporters.

Working closely with Michael Beverley, David led the merger of the Trust and the operating company into a single, unified governance structure, creating a more streamlined and efficient organisation. Following this transition, Michael Beverley became Chairman, with David serving as Deputy Chairman from 2014 to 2019, contributing experience, continuity, and a strong commitment to the MCO’s artistic vision.

In his professional life, David was Chief Operating Officer of Morgan Stanley and MSCI, Chairman of Acamar Films and RIMES, and served in the Cabinet Office of HMG as a Crown Representative, bringing extensive executive and public-sector experience to his work with the MCO. He is also a keen classical guitarist and, together with the Worshipful Company of Musicians and Professors Michael Lewin, Steven Goss, and Liz Kenny of the Royal Academy of Music, helped to create the New Elizabethan Award for Guitar and Lute, now recognised as the UK’s leading artistic award for these instruments.

Lord Burns GCB

Lord Burns began his career in 1965 at the London Business School, becoming Professor of Economics in 1979. In 1980, he was appointed Chief Economic Advisor to the Treasury and Head of the Government Economic Service. In 1991 he became Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, a post he held until 1998, when he was appointed a life peer.

Most recently, Lord Burns was the Chair of OFCOM (2018-2020), and a Non-Executive Member of the Office for Budget Responsibility (2011-2017). His previous appointments include being Chairman of Santander UK plc, Marks and Spencer plc, Welsh Water, and The Royal Academy of Music.

Currently he is Chair of the Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) and a trustee of the Rachel Podger Foundation. He was Chair of the Monteverdi Trust between 2001 and 2010.

Sir David Walker

Sir David Walker is a longstanding supporter of Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras, and was Chairman from 2019 until October 2025.

His career began in public policy, first in HM Treasury (including a 4-year secondment to the IMF), then as Executive Director of the Bank of England. He was chairman of the Securities and Investments Board, and of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions. He was also deputy chairman of LLoyds Bank, and a nominated member of the Council of Lloyds.

Sir David then moved to the private sector; he held senior executive roles at Morgan Stanley, as well as the chairmanship of Morgan Stanley, Barclays Bank, and latterly, the hedge fund Winton Capital Group. He is a longstanding member of international financial advisory body the Group of Thirty. He was also Co-Chairman of the University of Cambridge’s first development appeal.