Alok Nayak Announced as New CEO

Alok Nayak Announced as New CEO

Milapfest is delighted to announce the appointment of Alok Nayak to the post of CEO/Artistic Director as of April 1st 2019.

Milapfest’s mission is to inspire, educate and entertain people of all backgrounds, through a world class programme of Indian music and dance. Its main emphasis is on performance, education and artistic development. Alok brings several years experience from working across Milapfest’s programme, and closely in line with the organisation’s mission and vision. He takes on the role at a crucial time of growth and development in Milapfest’s portfolio, as it fulfills its key business objectives as a national and international Indian arts development trust and works to contribute to the long term aims and strategies of Arts Council England..

Alok has intimate knowledge of the organisation’s work in Indian music and dance, and has contributed to and led many areas of our work. His academic background is in literature, languages and politics. He has lived and worked in India and Austria, and has a Master of Public Administration from the University of Liverpool, an MSc in European Politics and Policy from the London School of Economics and is currently researching part-time for a PhD on the topic of Indian Classical Music in Britain at the University of Liverpool.

Born and brought up in Liverpool, Alok has worked in a variety of roles in Milapfest, including in the management and development of the organisation’s national ensembles, SAMYO and TARANG, as well as in recent years as Director of Development and Artistic Director. He is an accomplished speaker and highly experienced in hosting and fronting events. In addition, he is a successful bid and funding application writer, including writing strategic plans and reviews.. He has, with colleagues, led working internationally and contributed to the fine reputation of Milapfest in Liverpool, the UK and overseas. He has led the artistic development and programme of our two ensembles SAMYO and TARANG both at a practical and management level, as well as the creative aspects of their development.

Alok has a commitment to modern technologies and programme development. He has a clear strategy for the future of Milapfest and plans to build on Milapfest’s track record to develop our positive contribution to public life.

Alok has taken on the leadership role following the retirement of Dr Prashant Nayak, who was the founder of Milapfest in 1985 and retired as Executive Director on 31st December 2018. We look forward to Alok taking Milapfest to the next level in the arts world and with his colleagues building on the firm foundations set  by his predecessor.