Speaker: James O'Donnell

Chair and interlocutor: Clare Moriarty

James O’Donnell is Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey. Internationally recognised as a conductor and organ recitalist, he has performed all over the world and appeared in the BBC Proms and at many other festivals. As soloist and director James has worked with many of Britain's leading ensembles. He is Music Director of St James' Baroque and appears regularly with the BBC Singers. He is Visiting Professor of Organ and of Choral Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music and was President of the Royal College of Organists from 2011–2013.

Clare Moriarty is Permanent Secretary for the Department for Exiting the European Union. Previous roles include Permanent Secretary for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Director General, Rail Executive in the Department for Transport; and Constitutional Director, Ministry of Justice.

Part of Art, Imagination and Public Service, Westminster Abbey Institute's 2019 autumn programme.