After 20 years of leading Farnham Maltings, Gavin Stride has decided to stand down from his role as director and chief executive.
In that time, Farnham Maltings has evolved under Gavin’s leadership to become a creative organisation with a local, regional and international reputation for the ways in which it contributes to improving the quality of people’s lives.
He also led the Maltings’ efforts, together with Farnham Town Council, to co-ordinate the community’s enormous response to the Covid pandemic.
This included instigating the Farnham Connects group that continues to bring together key decision-makers, partner organisations, charities and businesses to address a multitude of issues in the Farnham area to this day.
Gavin said: “I have been thinking ‘what next’ for a while and now feels like the right time to be making way for the next generation of leadership to take the Maltings forward.
“We are in good shape, with a clear plan of what we want to achieve, a committed and hugely capable staff team, supportive funders and local authorities and the affection of our community.
“It has been a thoroughly rewarding time. I have delighted in seeing people flourish, both those who work with us and within our community.
“I am particularly proud of the way we responded to the pandemic, in coordinating the communities’ efforts to care for each other.
“I am also delighted in the way craft has become a characteristic of our town, in the establishment of the house network of venues, in the ways that the artists we support have thrived and in the way we have improved our buildings.”
Over the next few months Gavin will be focusing on some of the key local and national events he has championed including reviving his award-winning production of The Syrian Baker by Kevin Dyer for the Maltings this autumn with a national tour to village halls.
He added: “I am so looking forward to creating an event for one of the places I am happiest, making work in non-theatre spaces for people who would not typically have access to professional performance.”
He will also be continuing his role as co-chair of Surrey Cultural Partnership to develop a cultural strategy and explore new investment into the county.
Michael Maher, chair of Farnham Maltings Board, said: “I would like to sincerely thank Gavin for all he has done for the Maltings and the town over the past 20 years, in particular his drive and energy during the Covid pandemic which helped all groups across the town.
“I have no doubt he will continue to make the most of the opportunities wherever he can.”