Tom Usher

Mr Usher, a competition law expert at Burness Paull, has been a board member of the music festival since October 2025. He is passionate about music and he and his family now live in Elie in the East Neuk of Fife. He is an enthusiastic violinist and has spent two terms as a director on the Board of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.    

He said: “It is an absolute privilege to be appointed as Chair of this incredible festival which continues to draw some of the world’s most outstanding musicians to what is unquestionably one of East Fife’s most stunning seaside locations. I am very much looking forward to working closely with the team to ensure the festival continues to deliver the enormously high standards of programming and quality of experience our wonderful supporters and audiences expect.”

Donald MacDonald, who stands down as chair to become festival president, added: “This festival is very, very close to my heart and has been a constant joy for the 22 years during which I have chaired the board. It is greatly reassuring to welcome a new chair who brings not only the requisite experience and strengths, but also a lifelong love of live music which is the beating heart of this festival.”