Sir Clive Gillinson (OF 1953-1963) has been the Executive and Artistic Director of Carnegie Hall since 2005, leading the world-renowned venue with a focus on artistic innovation and community impact. He oversees the programming for Carnegie Hall's three performance spaces—Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Zankel Hall, and Weill Recital Hall—curating around 170 performances each season, ranging from classical and jazz to world music and popular music genres. 

Clive is committed to making Carnegie Hall a cultural hub that goes beyond just music. Under his leadership, the Hall has launched city-wide festivals that integrate music with theatre, dance, literature, and visual arts. Notable examples include festivals focused on Berlin, Latin America, South Africa, and the music of the 1960s. Most recently, the Hall's 2024-2025 season celebrates the influence of Latin music on U.S. culture. 

A major focus of Clive's tenure has been expanding Carnegie Hall's educational and digital outreach. He was instrumental in creating Ensemble Connect, a unique program that helps young musicians transition to professional careers while teaching in New York City public schools. He also launched the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), which brings together top young musicians for intensive training and international tours. Other initiatives like Carnegie Hall+, the Hall's subscription video platform, further extend the venue's global reach. 

Clive's vision has also led to the transformation of Carnegie Hall's Studio Towers into a dedicated space for the Weill Music Institute, making Carnegie Hall a true centre for music education. In 2024, he launched WOW! (World Orchestra Week), an exciting international event that brought together youth orchestras from around the world. 

Before joining Carnegie Hall, Clive had an accomplished career as a cellist in the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), then as its Managing, where he led major artistic and educational initiatives, including the creation of LSO Live, an award-winning recording label. 

Born in Bangalore, India, Clive grew up immersed in music, with a professional cellist mother and an artist father. He joined Frensham Heights at the age of seven and stayed there through A levels. His two loves at school were mathematics and music and credits Frensham's creative educational approach for the entrepreneurship which has been such an important ingredient in his career in management. 

After briefly studying mathematics at London University, he went to the Royal Academy of Music where he won the top cello prize. From there he joined the LSO and eventually took on a leadership role, shaping the orchestra's global impact. Over the years, Clive has earned numerous awards for his contributions to music, including a Knighthood in 2005, making him the only orchestra manager to ever receive this honour. 

Clive continues to work to ensure that Carnegie Hall remains a place of innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in the global cultural landscape.