People
Executive Team
George Vass Artistic Director
After training at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal Academy of Music, George has had a successful career as an orchestral and choral conductor for most of his life, specialising in the performance of contemporary music. He was invited to form a Presteigne Festival Orchestra in 1989 and took up his appointment as Artistic Director of the Festival in 1993, having concurrently served the Hampstead and Highgate Festival (2004-2009). He is Artistic Director of Nova Music Opera and Orchestra Nova, and has made some 40 recordings for labels including Resonus Classics, BIS, Dutton, Lyrita and Naxos, having recorded for broadcast and commercially with the BBC Symphony and Philharmonic orchestras, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the Bournemouth Symphony, Malmö Opera, Moravian Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Ulster orchestras.
A dedicated advocate for contemporary music, he received a BASCA Gold Badge Award in recognition of his contribution to the UK songwriting and composing community and in 2023, was honoured with the Welsh Music Guild’s ‘John Edwards Memorial Award’ for services to Welsh Music. George is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, was chair of the British Arts Festivals Association (2014-18), having been presented with the 2018 BAFA Exceptional Service Award for outstanding contribution to the festival sector; he serves the Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain as a governor.
Contact George VassAlison Giles Festival Producer
After working as a musician after college, a growing interest in arts management led Alison to roles at English National Opera in marketing and fundraising. A 10-year period running The Sixteen followed, and Alison built a freelance career which led to a move to the Welsh Borders. She continues to work as a consultant with arts and heritage clients across the UK, but loves having a local role as Festival Producer in Presteigne, one she has been privileged to hold for 14 years. Alison serves as a member of both the British Arts Festivals Association and Sidney Nolan Trust boards.
Contact Alison GilesJohn Sutton Finance and Box Office Manager
Having enjoyed a career as a teacher, education IT consultant and Parish administrator, John took early retirement in 2021 and made the move to Presteigne to enjoy a more relaxed and rural lifestyle with his wife Angie. Here, the opportunity presented itself to work for the Presteigne Festival, enabling him to utilise and combine his administrative skills and love of music. John feels privileged to be part of an organisation that brings obvious pleasure to so many people.
Jenny Ferguson Box Office Team
Music was an integral part of Jenny’s childhood. Her grandmother in particular, who was a competent pianist, took every opportunity to encourage her to play. Music remained very much a hobby and not something Jenny pursued as an adult – her interests led her down the medical route with subsequent careers in the RAF and NHS.
Jenny and her husband took early retirement in 2023, settling in Presteigne, not that far from her Shropshire roots. She is extremely pleased to be involved with the music world once again, and to be a part of the Presteigne Festival team.
Presteigne Festival Board of Trustees
Dr Nathan James Dearden
Keith Hatfield
Louisa Hungate
Clive Lane (Chair)
Emma Lilley (Vice-chair)
John Trew
George Vass ARAM
President
Lord Berkeley of Knighton CBE
Vice-Presidents
Thomas Hyde ARAM
David Matthews
Simon Mundy
Lynne Plowman FRWCMD
Huw Watkins MBE
Adrian Williams