No background in the arts
Julian Bird's background certainly did not tend towards a career in the arts. His jump was not part of a calculated strategy.
"I'm incredibly fortunate, my degree is in economics but I've always been interested in the arts in general, particularly theatre. I had a great career in the city and had gradually moved on to become one of the CEOs of a big division but in my spare time I got on the board of theatres including the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford but also the Southwold and Aldeburgh Theatre trust—the Freud dynasty—Jill Freud she's in her early 80s, amazing lady."
He moved full-time into the arts and, via the Tate Gallery, took up in his current dual roles in the summer of 2010.
"One of the joys for me is to be able to do the business side but also the personal side", for example in producing the Olivier awards.
While not currently overly concerned about central government funding since the Arts Council has no commitments for the next three years, Bird has worries about local government budgets.
As a result, his organisations will be lobbying hard for the government to consider offering tax breaks to those willing to assist in the funding of theatre projects similar to those given to film investment, recognising that "theatre is a high-risk business".
As he is keen to point out, "the creative industries are one of the great areas of growth in this difficult economy and I want to make the case that we could be doing more".
Bird observed that with advanced knowledge of West End programming, following a relative drought, there were likely to be a number of new, big budget musicals arriving in London over the next year. He was eager to highlight the fact that "everyone will always comment on the top ticket price here. We have this whole range and I think it is something in London theatre we don't trumpet enough".