We are proud to be founding members of a new trade body representing the UK's opera sector. UK Opera Association (UKOA) launches today and brings 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.

We are excited to join forces with the other founding companies, 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 and 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.

Thangham 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). ETO Artistic Director & CEO Robin Norton-Hale will serve on UKOA's Board of Directors.

UKOA aims to be the collective voice for the full breadth of the UK opera sector, from pop-up performances to national companies. The organisation will promote the UK's extraordinary operatic talent and champion continued artistic excellence and innovation by advocating for policies and investment that support creative ambition, a strong and stable workforce, and audience growth, while promoting diversity, accessibility and sustainability across the sector.

We look forward to being a part of this important work to further opera initiatives across the UK.