ABRSM has today (Tuesday 3 January) moved to London Wall Place at the heart of the City of London’s cultural hub and is now located in the newly refurbished Salters’ Hall building. The move is part of the international music education organisation’s plans for growth in the UK and in the 93 countries in which it operates. ABRSM’s Chairman, Dame Colette Bowe (who is also chairman of the Banking Standards Board, located here in the City) explained why the organisation is looking forward to working closely with its new neighbours in the Square Mile. She said: “The start of this New Year is an especially exciting one for ABRSM, the UK’s largest music education organisation. “We’ve just today moved into our new office near to the Barbican, and this comes at a transformative time for us. Maybe the most exciting in our 127 year history. At our new centre we’ll have several excellent new facilities, such as a purpose built exam suite as well as dedicated training and meeting space. “The timing of our move is particularly apt given the renewed vigour in the City’s cultural activities. The current Lord Mayor, for example, has placed music at the heart of his Appeal. We really look forward to supporting the Appeal, especially as the inspiring medium of music is central to all that we do. “The Square Mile’s cultural scene will also get a further boost with the building of a state-of-the-art concert hall and later this year with the arrival of Sir Simon Rattle as Music Director of the London Symphony Orchestra. His focus on music for all, with children and young people at its heart chimes exactly with our passion to support the teaching and learning of music, in partnership with the Royal Schools of Music. And the completion of the Crossrail project will make the area even easier to reach, helping to make the area’s cultural activities even more accessible. “As a long time City worker myself, I have always appreciated the range and depth of cultural activities available to us in the City. All of us at ABRSM are looking forward to working with our new and existing partners to help more people in the Square Mile learn, create and embrace the transformative power of music.” Sir Nicholas Kenyon, Managing Director, Barbican said: “I'm delighted that ABRSM are joining the emerging cultural hub in the creative heart of the City. We share a passion for arts and learning and I look forward to working together on future projects.” Kathryn McDowell, London Symphony Orchestra Managing Director, said: “The London Symphony Orchestra is delighted that the ABRSM will become neighbours in the City of London. ABRSM’s network, locally, nationally and internationally in music education complements the work of LSO Discovery, and we look forward to working more closely together in the years ahead.”

Special feature in City AM

An article about ABRSM's move by our chairman Dame Colette Bowe appears on page 14 in today's edition of City AM.