CEO Who Led Minn. Orchestra Through Lockout to Step Down

The Minnesota Orchestra announced Thursday that its president and chief executive, Michael Henson will leave office in August, ending a seven-year tenure that saw both fundraising success and a bitter labor battle, reports the Star Tribune.

His departure could set the stage for former music director Osmo Vänskä to rejoin the orchestra. The conductor resigned in October amid the lockout that silenced the symphony for 16 months and ended in January with musicians accepting deep cuts in pay and benefits. Mr. Vänskä has suggested he would be willing to return if Mr. Henson left, reportedly dividing the orchestra’s board.

The British executive oversaw the $50-million renovation of concert venue Orchestra Hall and fundraising efforts that brought $110-million to the organization, but he became a divisive figure during the lockout, drawing a vote of no confidence from musicians.

“It is never easy to be an agent of change,” said Gordon Sprenger, chairman of the orchestra’s board. He credited Mr. Henson with addressing “serious financial challenges” facing the organization and leaving it “on more solid financial footing.”