Benedikt Spierings Becomes CEO Opera Ballet Vlaanderen and Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Benedikt Spierings has been appointed the new CEO of the merged institution Opera Ballet Vlaanderen and Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. She will lead the largest cultural institution in Flanders and succeeds Jan Raes, who will step down from his position at the end of this summer.

Trained as a violinist, Benedikt Spierings studied musicology and, following her studies, worked for more than ten years as a consultant for major private-sector companies and various public institutions. She joined Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in 2021 as Manager of Central Planning & Production and was promoted in 2024 to COO and Deputy CEO.

As previously agreed, Jan Raes (67), the current CEO of the merged arts institution Opera Ballet Vlaanderen and Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, will step down on 31 August 2026. The Artistic Directors, Jan Vandenhouwe for Opera & Ballet and Ulrike Niehoff for Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, will continue in their current positions. A successor will be sought for the role of COO.

The decision was taken by the Board of ASOBV vzw on Thursday, 28 May, following a thorough selection procedure. The Board was advised by an international panel of experts. With this appointment, the Board has opted for continuity in leadership and policy. ASOBV vzw is now ready to tackle the major challenges of the coming years: the development of a new strategic plan for the 2028–2032 period, the continued implementation of the merger formally completed on 1 March 2026, and the finalisation of key infrastructure projects.

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