EMPIRE CHAIR TO RESIGN

EMPIRE Theatres board of directors chair Professor Peter Swannell will resign in October, he announced yesterday.

Andrew Wielandt, who has been a member of the board of directors since 2007 and is the managing partner for Dornbusch Partners, Toowoomba Hospital Foundation deputy chair and past president of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was approved as Prof Swannell’s successor at Tuesday’s Toowoomba Regional Council meeting.

Prof Swannell has served as chair since 1999.

He said there was “nothing complicated” about his decision to step down, it was just time to give someone else a go.

“This theatre continues to be a leader in the arts and entertainment industry locally, regionally and often nationally,” he said.

“Staying on top does not get any easier as the years go by and I felt now was the right time to hand over the reins.”

He said he was delighted to hand over to Mr Wielandt.

“It’s important to remember the function of the board is not to have people who are experts in the arts, but people who care strongly about the arts,” he said.

“We have a strong board and I know Andrew will do well.”

As the sole chair since the formation of the board, Prof Swannell has served with dedication through periods of development.

Empire Theatres general manager Kerry Saul said Prof Swannell had a lot to be proud of during his time as chairman.

“The 20th year celebrations have been a wonderful culmination of what has been achieved since the Theatre reopened in 1997 and reflect the great input and advice Professor Swannell has provided since 1999,” he said.

Prof. Swannell and his wife Janice are expected to remain regular patrons of the Empire.