The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) has appointed Mr Nicholas Speller as its new Head of Finance and Administration.
Mr Speller (53) takes over in July 2011 from Julia Harrison Place, who has been the RSCM’s Bursar for the past 11 years. He comes to the RSCM after a long career working in submarines in the Royal Navy.
Mr Speller first joined the Royal Navy in 1975 and, after basic training, served for ten years as an officer onboard the Royal Navy’s submarines reaching the rank of Lieutenant Commander. This was followed by seventeen years supporting Naval operations on shore, including posts in financial management and resource planning.
Nick Speller is no stranger to the world of church music.
Both his children (now grown up) were choristers at Portsmouth Anglican Cathedral, where he continues to be Head Server, a member of the Cathedral Council, and the choir’s tour manager.
Mr Speller will take over the financial management of the RSCM from Julia Harrison Place who is leaving to take up a post-graduate course in Creative Writing. “Julia has worked unswervingly for the RSCM over the last eleven years and has played an invaluable part in the success of the organisation, including the change of location to the RSCM Centre in Salisbury in 2006,” says Lindsay Gray, Director of the RSCM.
“However, I am delighted that in Nick Speller we have found someone with expert management and planning skills combined with first-hand experience of church music operations behind the scenes.”
Mr Speller takes up the new post in July and will be based at the RSCM Centre.