Claire joined the CBSO in late April having been Head of Alumni and Development at the University of Wolverhampton for ten years, following previous positions at De Montfort University and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Outside of office life. Claire replaces Simon Fairclough who left the CBSO after 8 years to join the University of Cambridge as inaugural Director of its Centre for Music Performance.

CBSO Chief Executive Stephen Maddock, said:

"I’m sure that all of my colleagues at the CBSO and, of course, our amazing network of supporters and donors will join me in welcoming Claire to the Orchestra. It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to find someone with Claire’s experience and skills for this key role. She has a real passion for what we do, and I know she will do an excellent job of leading the Development team as we look to the future and the next stages of our fundraising campaign, The Sound of the Future."

New Director of Development Claire Tilt, said:

"I am delighted to be joining the CBSO as their new Director of Development. With a background and passion for music and a career in higher education fundraising I am really excited to be leading and shaping the Development agenda at such a fantastic organisation, which reaches out to the City of Birmingham, the West Midlands and far beyond."