Askonas Holt today announces a new chapter in its history as it joins an international alliance of arts organisations under the umbrella of San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM), a not-for-profit education institution.

The acquisition will see the London-based agency sit in SFCM’s portfolio alongside Opus 3 Artists and record label Pentatone, whilst maintaining autonomy under its current Board of Directors.

Donagh Collins will become Chief Executive of Opus 3 Artists as well as remaining the CEO of Askonas Holt. Opus 3 will continue to be led on a day-to-day basis by Robert Berretta (Managing Director) and Ben Maimin (Chief Operating Officer).

“Askonas Holt has never stood still,” said Donagh. “Working with SFCM, with their impressive resources and expertise, we have clear ambitions which will benefit artists and staff as we develop more touring, presenting, and producing initiatives. It gives us increased excitement about our future. I am thrilled to embark on this new journey and look forward to working with David Stull, the team at Pentatone, and my new colleagues at Opus 3 Artists in New York and in Berlin.”

"The sheer talent and power of this new quartet of friends and partners promises to advance the cause of music at the highest level across the globe,” added David Stull, President of SFCM. “It will create limitless opportunities for students, provide a creative playground for the world’s finest artists to advance their ideas, expand our capacity to capture and record important work, and allow us all to imagine and create our future together. I am thrilled to welcome Donagh and his colleagues to the team and look forward to many adventures ahead.”

Enabled by private support, SFCM acquired Opus 3 Artists in 2020 and Netherlands-based Pentatone two years later. Since then, the alliance has yielded several artist residency engagements and recordings, as well as a new Artist Apprentice Program.

With a history dating back to 1876, Askonas Holt provides bespoke management to over 300 conductors, singers and instrumentalists, and arranges tours and residencies for leading orchestras and ensembles. It is committed to long-term career management – this year marks the 50th anniversary of Sir Simon Rattle joining its roster – rooted in early-stage talent development, with its Lies Askonas Fellowship scheme nurturing the next generation of artists.

Read the full press release here.