Sir Ian Isaac Stoutzker CBE is a British banker, musician and philanthropist. He was born in England in 1929. Sir Ian was born into a musical family. His father was the Cantor at the Central Synagogue in London and his mother, Dora Cohen, a piano teacher in Tredegar, South Wales. Education Berkhamsted School Royal College of Music London School of Economics Citation The Royal Academy of Music’s citation for its award of Honorary Fellowship to Ian Stoutzker in 2008 stated, “With the possible exception of George Frederic Handel, no individual has done more to bring music to children and the disadvantaged in the history of this country than Ian Stoutzker” Royal College of Music Ian studied the violin with the great English violinist Albert Sammons at the Royal College of Music. He might have become a professional musician himself but chose to work in commerce to support his devotion to music. He became a member of the Council of the Royal College in 1968 and served for thirty one years. On retirement in 1999 he was made a Vice President of the College. Notable musical involvements New Philharmonia/Philharmonia Orchestra Following the death of Otto Klemperer in 1973, the New Philharmonia Orchestra needed financial support and new musical leadership. The orchestra was successful in meeting both of these needs. The financial support was provided when for the first time a non-playing member of a London orchestra was appointed Chairman. Ian was in a position to give financial support but he was also a serious musician with wide contacts able to provide leadership during this difficult period. At this time Ricardo Muti was appointed Principal Conductor and Lorin Maazel, Principal Guest Conductor. Many young outstanding instrumentalists applied to join the orchestra: leader, Carl Pini, principal viola, Csaba Erdélyi - the only viola player ever to win the Carl Flesch Competition - Gordon Hunt, oboe, Pat Lyndon, flute, Michael Thompson, horn and John Wallace, trumpet. Once again the Orchestra became at the forefront of musical excellence, many thought this was a golden period. Ian is rightly credited with rescuing the finances of the Orchestra at a hazardous moment in its history. He also proposed and oversaw the complicated legal issues of restoring its name from the ‘New Philharmonia Orchestra’ to the original name of the ‘Philharmonia Orchestra’. He held the appointment as Chairman from 1973-1976 and was President of the Orchestra from 1976