One of America's top symphony orchestras has head-hunted Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's managing director Michael Henson.

Henson, who has been at Bournemouth for the past nine years, will be leaving in early 2008 to become president and CEO of the Minnesota Orchestra.

He is said to have been the "enthusiastic and unanimous choice" of the Minnesota Search Committee which believed he offered the ideal mix of qualifications to lead one of the top US symphony orchestras.

Search committee chair Richard Davis said: "Michael has deep knowledge of music, a highly strategic approach and significant expertise in leading and fundraising for complex organisations. We believe he will be a creative, visionary leader."

Although the Minnesota is ranked among the top ten orchestras in the States, Henson says the decision to leave Bournemouth was "an extremely difficult one to make".

"I have lived in Bournemouth for many years and I shall miss the great way of life here. He added that he had thoroughly enjoyed working with the musicians, staff and board of the BSO as well as meeting its loyal followers across the South and South West. He described the BSO as "this fine musical beacon".

Henson and his family - wife Helen, Luke (six), Corinne (four) and a third child due in November - will move to Minnesota in the spring. However, Bournemouth will remain an important part of his life as he plans to keep a house here and make regular return visits.

Considered one of the UK's top orchestral managers, Henson has earned a reputation for having great foresight, marketing prowess and financial acumen. He appointed Marin Alsop as principal conductor in 2001, a move that raised the national and international profile of the orchestra to new heights.

Under his management, audience attendances increased by 10 percent to an average capacity of 82 per cent and he renegotiated Arts Council support that has resulted in the BSO becoming financially stable and a flagship organisation in the orchestra sector.

Not bad considering he joined the BSO amid financial crisis - it was running at an annual deficit of £1 million - and managed a major restructuring that has led to seven years of balanced budgets and sustained artistic success, including five international tours, 45 recordings and six Grammy Award nominations.

Chairman of the BSO board of directors, Colin Patrick, said "The board and all at the BSO are sad that Michael will be leaving us in the spring of next year. We are all extremely grateful for the tremendous job he has done in enabling the orchestra to achieve its present artistic heights and financial stability.

"We now look forward to finding and appointing a new MD who will build on Michael's good work and continue to develop the BSO artistically, within a secure financial framework, as well as bringing fresh ideas and new initiatives.

"I remain very optimistic about the future of the BSO."