BBC talent boss to make Big Noise at music charity

The BBC’s head of arts talent is to take charge of a Scottish charity that aims to make a difference to society through music.

Colin McKerchar is taking charge of music charity Sistema Scotland for a year

Colin McKerchar will take over as chief executive of Sistema Scotland on secondment for a year to cover the maternity leave of current boss Nicola Killean.

Sistema Scotland, through its Big Noise Orchestras, works in communities at Govanhill in Glasgow, Raploch in Stirling and Torry in Aberdeen to help children and young people develop confidence and teamwork skills by playing music together.

The charity’s chairman, Richard Holloway, said: “We will miss Nicola when she goes off for her maternity leave, but we are confident that Colin will bring a new set of skills and experience to the role.

“The charity is going from strength to strength with almost 2,000 children being helped every week by the Big Noise Orchestra Centres. Colin will play a huge part in helping the charity grow and develop during the next year.”

McKerchar, who starts his secondment on 4 January, has worked in arts at the BBC for more than 15 years, first as a reporter and broadcaster, then as a producer on arts programmes and is now head of talent for Arts TV. He is also a qualified executive coach and mentor.

He said: “The main reason for taking this opportunity is to help build on the outstanding work Nicola Killean and the team have done to date. I’d like to redirect the skills I’ve acquired over the last decade and give something back to individuals and communities.

“If I can add something to the organisational aims and objectives then I hope it will be hugely rewarding for both parties. On a personal level, I’m completely committed to the values embodied in Sistema Scotland and want to do my best to help realise the ambition of this organisation.”