The Torch Theatre has announced significant changes to its Board of Management following its first meeting of the New Year.
Following ten years at the helm, Chairman Tim Arthur has stepped down and three new members have joined the team to launch Milford Haven’s centre for the arts into a new decade and a strong new direction for the future.
Tim Arthur has steered the Torch through its most ambitious and challenging project to date, with a £5.4m development scheme to expand the Theatre completed in March 2008. Tim has been involved with the Torch in many guises since 1977, and counts the creation of its youth theatre as one of his greatest achievements. He will remain on the Board of Management and Milford Haven GP Carol Mackintosh takes over the reins. Passionate about live theatre and involved in many Pembrokeshire drama groups and activities, Carol was previously Vice Chair of the Board.
Following the successful re-launch of the new Torch nearly two years ago, members of the Torch Board of Management re-assessed the structure and direction of the Theatre as an expanded organisation, and over the past twelve months have defined its artistic and business ambitions for the next 3 years and beyond. As part of that process, a skills audit identified the areas in which to strengthen the team and ensure the Theatre’s ongoing achievement going forward. Three appointments were subsequently made: Wendy Goldsworthy, the Community and Government Affairs Advisor for Dragon LNG; HR and business management consultant Nia Marshall, and local businesswoman and speech and language therapist, Julia Ritchie MBE.
Tim Arthur believes that the overwhelming response to the recruitment campaign truly reflected the status that the Torch Theatre has gained within the community over its 30 years. Tim said The Torch has established Pembrokeshire and Milford Haven as a centre of excellence on the artistic map of Wales. I look forward to joining our new Members in Board initiatives to assist with the development of the customer experience and artistic programming.
The new Members began to familiarise themselves more closely with the work of the company at the end of January. Following her first meeting, Wendy Goldsworthy commented I was very impressed by all the hard work that went into the rebuilding project and the new business plan and hope that my business skills and expertise, together with the many contacts I’ve built up over many years in Pembrokeshire will be a useful addition to the Torch. There are opportunities for increased interaction with the local business community and with community groups that would benefit everyone.
The Board of Management takes responsibility for ensuring the Theatre is effectively run, for developing policy and the company’s business affairs. The fifteen directors have responsibilities under charity and company law, and for directing the affairs of the Torch generally, ensuring that the company remains solvent and delivers its objectives.
Nia Marshall comes on-board with a wealth of practical experience in HR, fundraising, commerce and business development. Her many projects have supported the development of business clients in the county, successfully securing funding from a range of sources. Nia commented I am thrilled to be joining the board at this important stage. I look forward to supporting the Torch, both as a vital community asset and in its business development as a nationally recognised centre for artistic talent.
Julia Ritchie has been watching the Torch grow and prosper since her return to the county six years ago. I’ve always been a great fan of the Torch Theatre Company’s own productions… said Julia … Peter Doran and the team turn out really impressive work which would be the envy of any major city in Britain, so to be able to enjoy such style and professionalism locally is just fantastic. So now, with its new building, lovely gallery and a great café, it’s a challenge for the Torch team to build on the past, listen to what the community really wants from their local theatre, and excel in artistic quality.
Julia’s thoughts are echoed by new figurehead Carol Mackintosh, who says we’re entering a new era – our new business plan seeks to take the Torch in new directions and my first priority will be to oversee the implementation of the plan, which launches us into the new decade and into an exciting new future.
