NMC Recordings announces appointment of Sam Mackay as Executive Director
22nd August 2025
Articles NMC RecordingsNMC Recordings announces appointment of Sam Mackay as Executive Director
NMC is delighted to announce that Sam Mackay will succeed Cathy Graham as Executive Director commencing in October 2025. Sam will lead the strategic and artistic development of the organisation in this newly full-time role, working closely with the NMC team and Board of Trustees.
‘NMC has been a beacon in my musical journey, from formative encounters with Harrison Birtwistle to recent standout albums by Rebecca Saunders and Lisa Illean. It’s such a vital part of our ecosystem - for composers at all stages, but also for the performers, conductors, listeners, schoolteachers, broadcasters, venues and commissioners for whom outstanding recordings and releases are so key.
I’m proud to join NMC’s passionate team, freshly energised with the Royal Philharmonic Society’s prestigious Gamechanger Award under its belt. Composers today face acute challenges in getting their work heard by those with the power to champion it. I’m eager to help forge new solutions to this - in a spirit of equity, and guided by our dedication to adventurous music and the people of all ages and backgrounds who create it.’ – Sam Mackay
‘We are very fortunate that Sam will be joining the NMC family. He is the perfect successor to Cathy Graham who stepped down in July, and whose exceptional work during her tenure shines NMC’s light ever brighter around the world. Sam comes to us with an impressive portfolio of experience and achievements. We look forward to working with him over the coming years as he leads NMC on its unique and vital mission championing the work of composers in the UK and Ireland, connecting listeners everywhere with remarkable contemporary classical music, enriching lives as a result.’ – Jackie Newbould, NMC Chair
‘I couldn’t be happier to welcome Sam into the fold, possessing all the qualities to continue NMC’s trajectory following Cathy’s extraordinary achievements. It’s clear he will relish the role, taking up the reigns alongside a gifted staff team of whom I am so proud.’ – Colin Matthews, NMC Founder & Executive Producer
About Sam Mackay
Sam Mackay is a senior arts professional with a longstanding engagement in new and experimental music. He co-founded London Contemporary Music Festival in 2013, co-directing its first five editions and helping secure major broadcasts, commissions, premieres, grants and international artists. Following this he completed a PhD in Ethnomusicology at City, University of London, and has since held roles in artist development and fundraising across the arts sector. Most recently he was Development Director at Kings Place Music Foundation. Sam is a Trustee of the Bernie Grant Art Centre in Tottenham.
Embracing Change
The newly full-time post of Executive Director comes with optimism for the future as NMC Recordings restructures to maintain resilience, becoming a team of four full-time staff. Eleanor Wilson who has been a driving force at NMC for almost twenty years, most recently as part-time Creative Director, will assist with the transition over the coming months, working closely with Sam Mackay. She will step down in Spring 2026, becoming fully freelance to pursue consultancy and project management (including some with NMC) and her own creative projects.
Jim Unwin becomes General Manager in October, working alongside the new Executive Director Sam Mackay, Head of Fundraising Claire Wright, and Office, Fundraising & Marketing Co-ordinator Stephen Balfour.
