The Cheltenham Trust, the charity which oversees the management of some of the town's most significant cultural venues, is advertising for a new chief executive officer — with a salary of £100,000 available for the right candidate.
The search for a new CEO follows the announcement that Laurie Bell, who has held the position since 2019, had planned to leave the trust at the end of March 2025.
But by mutual consent, that transition has been brought forward to November 2024, with Laurie departing the trust with immediate effect.
Assistant director of operations and deputy CEO, James Baker, has been appointed acting CEO until the position can be filled.
A statement from the Cheltenham Trust following Laurie's departure said: 'We would like to take this opportunity to thank Laurie for her leadership and contributions over the past five years, during which she guided the organisation through significant external challenges, including the global Covid-19 pandemic and economic shifts. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours.'
A job advert for the role was posted in early November 2024, with candidates having until Sunday 1 December 2024 to apply.
Describing itself as 'the guardian' of much of the town’s heritage and the lead provider of culture, heritage, sport and leisure, the trust says now is an 'exhilarating' time to join the organisation as it develops its mission and vision with a new strategic plan for the future.
The independent charity — founded in 2014 by Cheltenham Borough Council — manages operations at Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham Town Hall, The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum, Leisure at Cheltenham and the Prince of Wales Stadium, both to benefit the health and wellbeing of local people and to actively support the local and visitor economy.
In the job advert, the trust says it is seeks a new CEO who can lead it 'to long-term financial sustainability and growth and maximise the many exciting opportunities ahead', in what it describes as a 'pivotal' moment for the organisation.
It points to recent successes including its ongoing refurbishment of The Wilson; and says that though its annual turnover has grown from £4.2 million to an expected £7.3 million, achieving 'financial breakeven' remains a challenge for the trust.
And it adds that helping to develop its services, as well as its 'high-performing' executive team through coaching and mentoring, to meet opportunities and challenges which lie ahead, are also important elements of the new CEO’s role.
More information about the role and how to apply can be found through LinkedIn and Guardian Jobs.
