Brass Bands England is delighted to announce three new appointments to its staff following a successful advertising campaign, which attracted over 50 applications. Darren Lea from Coventry and Vicky Lenton from Willingham near Cambridge have been appointed Liaison Officers and Graham Sandersfield from Sheffield will take on the role of Operations Co-ordinator. Both Darren and Vicky will report to newly-promoted Senior Liaison Officer Rachel Veitch-Straw and will start with us on 1 September. Graham’s role is office-based in Barnsley and he will join us on 14 September. 
Darren Lea, introduced to banding at an early age through The Salvation Army, is currently principal cornet of Jaguar Land Rover Band, having had spells on various instruments at a number of bands including Desford Colliery, GUS, Ransome, William Davis and the Brass Band of Central Florida. During his career, Darren has been involved in numerous organisations and funding projects and is keen to help bands strengthen and develop their organisations. 
Vicky Lenton, who played for Waterbeach Brass at this year’s ‘Area’ contest, has been involved in brass bands all her life and is looking forward to developing the benefits that banding can bring to all generations within the community. She has recently played at both Bedford Town Band, where her mother plays, and her father’s band, Cottenham. 
Graham has a wealth of experience in operational management in the charitable sector and in delivering activity programmes to young people, most notably as Head of Operations for the King’s Foundation. We look forward to welcoming Darren, Vicky and Graham to Brass Bands England and wish them every success in their new roles.