Laurie Bell will be adding momentum to a direction of travel already set by the trust, if the words of its last annual report at the end of 2018 are anything to go by. Working relationships already exist with the likes of Cheltenham Festivals and the Everyman Theatre, through a Culture Board aiming to develop the town's cultural life. And it is working with the borough council on the development of the Town Hall to – in its own words - “re-imagine how the venue could be used by a 21st century audience”. Praising the people of Cheltenham, the volunteers and staff in its annual report, chairman of the board and businessman Peter Harkness, acknowledged the trust needed to “contribute even more in future” in order to endure. “Cheltenham continues to punch above its weight in art, culture and lifestyle.” The trust was established to advance and support education, culture, arts and heritage. More than 20 sports clubs partner with the trust. Funding has also come from the likes of theArts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund and Sport England. Total income last year was £6.1 million - £4.6 million of which came from operations, was marked as £900,000 management fees, £200,000 was a refund from LGPS (Local Government Pension Scheme) and the borough council and £300,000 was grant and donations. The bigger picture is a really good and different space.” Currently, she says, the town has lots of great events going on led by highly able teams, but she believes closer working relationships would bear still more fruit. “I have met with the festivals, the council and with Kevin Blackadder from the BID. By coming together we can work out how we can all benefit and all add value and benefit everyone,” she says l For more information visit cheltenhamtrust.org.uk or phone 01242 774 401
transforming services.” A perfect CV for the role, you would think. “I need to make the Trust more commercial and a bigger part of the community. It is an interesting dilemma,” she said. “Turnover is about £4.6 million at the moment. It projects a small profit, but anything it makes goes back into the Trust. “Take the Pittville Pump Room and our other venues for weddings – these are our main high commercial income generators, but that does not mean we cannot do a lot more.” Its last set of accounts show total income last year was £6.1 million, with the £4.6 million coming from “operations”, the rest from management fees, a £200,000 refund from the local government pension scheme and the borough council and £300,000 of grants and donations. Peter Harkness, its chairman and a businessman in his own right, has acknowledged the Trust needed to “contribute even more in future” in order to endure. Plans involve building on working relationships with the likes of Cheltenham Festivals and Cheltenham BID. Another key target is business. “Businesses often need to do something a bit different, if they want a product launch to showcase themselves and set themselves apart, we can offer them some fantastic venues. “For example, there is a third floor roof terrace at the Wilson Gallery. We hosted an AGM only last week. It
TheWilson Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum
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