A former boss of a now defunct budget airline which was based in Castle Donington has taken up a new role as chairman of a local orchestra.
Tony Davis first became involved with Sinfonia Viva - a Grammy-nominated East Midlands orchestra - almost 15 years ago when he was managing director of BMI Baby.
The airline, which ceased operations in 2012, supported Viva’s tour of Ireland in 2005, including a performance in Cork as part of the official European Capital of Culture programme.
Today, as well as being an aviation consultant and advisor, Mr Davis is involved in the Lichfield Festival, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and now Sinfonia Viva, where he has taken up the role of board chairman.
Peter Helps, chief executive of Sinfonia Viva, which is headquartered in Derby, said: “Tony joins us at a pivotal time in our development as a long-established orchestra with an excellent reputation for taking high quality classical music to a wide range of audiences.
“His extensive business experience and genuine love for orchestra music will be vital to Sinfonia Viva’s vision for growth and diversification so that we can move the orchestra to another level both here in the East Midlands and further afield.”
Mr Davis said: “I am looking forward to joining Viva at this exciting moment in its journey and contributing towards the further success of the organisation.
“Viva, with its well established mix of both concert performances and nationally acclaimed education and community projects, is unique in that it is not a conventional orchestra.”
