A violin graduate of the Royal College of Music, he chose to study at the London School of Economics and pursue a career in commerce. In 1977, together with his friend Yehudi Menuhin, he founded the ground-breaking charity Live Music Now. After many years as Chairman, he is now its President. He was the Chairman and President of the Philharmonia Orchestra during the period of its renewal and later Chairman of the Advisory Council of the London Symphony Orchestra.

He is fellow of the Royal College of Music where he is a Vice President, the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. In 2012 he was awarded a CBE for services to the arts by HRH Queen Elizabeth II, and was also awarded the Prince of Wales Medal for philanthropy. In June 2019 he was awarded a Knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. 

In 2014 he was invited to become joint Chairman of the EUYO and has served in that capacity until 2020. Over the years, he has supported the Mozarteum in Salzburg, where he resides, and last year inaugurated a major annual prize there for the outstanding musical performer on instrument or voice.