The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
New boss for Horsecross Arts selected
Anew boss has been appointed at Horsecross Arts in a bid to strengthen the organisation as it moves toward leaving lockdown.
Dr Colin Hood has been appointed as the new chairman of the board of Horsecross Arts, the creative charity behind Perth Theatre and Perth Concert Hall.
Formerly the deputy chief executive of Perthbased energy giant SSE, Colin has previously served as chairman of Scotia Gas Networks and Southern Water.
It comes after a period of troubles for Horsecross and mass resignations from the board in late 2019, including former chairman Magnus Linklater.
The walk-out followed an audit report which raised “serious concerns” over financial management.
Chief accountant Scott Walker was parachuted in to provide emergency financial management in August, after a series of miscalculations led £74,000 shortfall.
Last year some 40 staff were made redundant due to a loss of income during lockdown.
New chairman Colin, who also served on the board of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, succeeds interim chairman and director of communications with Stagecoach Group, Steven Stewart, who has spent the past year guiding the charity through the Covid-19 crisis. to
He joins two further new trustees, Vanessa Rawlings-Jackson and Peter Fotheringham.
New vice-chairwoman Vanessa was previously general manager at Perth Theatre and Peter is deputy director of finance for Dundee University.
Chief executive Nick Williams said: “I’m delighted to welcome the three new trustees, who
between them bring a wealth of experience and extensive skills to strengthen the Horsecross Arts Board.
“Colin brings experience at national and international level and we look forward to benefitting from his skills as we embark on our objective to build a sustainable postCovid-19 future for the performing arts in Perth.”