Sistema chairman toleave
Richard Holloway, founder and chairman of Sistema Scotland, the charity which runs Big Noise Raploch, is to retire from the board in December this year.
From working with an initial group of 35 children in the Raploch community in 2008, the Big Noise programme has grown to reach over 2,500 children and young people in four centres across Scotland: Govanhill, Glasgow; Torry, Aberdeen; and Douglas, Dundee, as well as Raploch.
Big Noise uses the symphony orchestra and learning a musical instrument to help equip children with a wide range of social and life skills including confidence, resilience and aspiration in a bid to enable children to reach their full potential and lead fulfilled lives.
Mr Holloway, who is also a well-known writer and broadcaster, said: “The Big Noise adventure began for me 10 years ago in my youthful seventies. Watching Sistema Scotland’s glorious achievements over the last 10 years has been the greatest privilege of my life.
“I am extremely sad to be standing down as chairman. I’ll be 85 in November and time is catching up with me, so I think I should now pass the baton onto someone who can run with it for the next 10 years and beyond. I’ll continue to play my part and rejoice in the 10th Birthday of Sistema Scotland until I stand down as chairman at the end of the year.”
The board has appointed search consultants Saxton Bampfylde to support the process of recruiting his successor. Further details will be published at www. makeabignoise.org.uk.