The chair of the English National Opera (ENO), Martin Smith, has reacted strongly to reports that the company is experiencing turbulent times within its top-end management team.

Recent media reports claim that the departure of the ENO’s artistic director and CEO, Seán Doran, after just over two years in the post, may not have been entirely amicable on either side.

It was suggested that Doran had been seriously underqualified for the role and spent too much time on peripheral activities, such as ENO’s Wagner performance at Glastonbury – leading to widespread dissatisfaction with his direction.

Doran has been replaced as chief executive by executive director Loretta Tomasi and as artistic director by director of opera programming John Berry.

Following the media speculation, Smith wrote a letter to The Times newspaper, published on 5 December, in which he called the reports about management changes at the company both inaccurate and misleading.

“As far as the appointment last week of Loretta Tomasi and John Berry is concerned, the position is clear. At a time when the company is doing very well, the board decided to confirm in post two individuals with proven artistic and managerial records who were already carrying out many of these responsibilities with full board confidence,” he said.

“With regard to the company, it is certainly not in crisis. The real news is that ENO is currently enjoying a genuine and very exciting renaissance.”

The ENO has said that Doran has agreed to act as an artistic consultant for the remainder of its current season.

Last year, the company completed a £41m refurbishment of its home, the London Coliseum. Details: www.eno.org

Photograph: Grant Smith