Mr Reid was born and brought up in Edinburgh. After studying the trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama – during which time he was amember of the European Community Youth Orchestra he pursued a successful and varied playing andteaching career based in the North West of England. Gavin was Principal Trumpet with ManchesterCamerata from 1989-2001 and was also responsible for developing their extensive education and outreach programme between 1996 and 2001.

Mr Reid stopped playing the trumpet in 2001 to concentrate on management and in 2002 wasappointed General Manager of Manchester Camerata.He was one of the first Fellows on the CloreLeadership Programme and in 2006 became Director of the BBC Scottish SymphonyOrchestra. Mr Reid is currently a Director of the Association of British Orchestra.