The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) has appointed a new board member from the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Catherine Mallyon has joined the CWLEP’s 16-strong board which is made-up of representatives from the private and public sector.
She was appointed as executive director of the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2012 and is a governor of the company and a member of its board.
Catherine was previously deputy chief executive of Southbank Centre, the largest single-run arts centre in the world, where she led all its operational activity and her major projects included re-opening the Royal Festival Hall after its refurbishment in 2007 and the renewal of Hayward Gallery in 2010.
In her earlier career in arts management, Catherine was general manager of arts and theatres at Reading Borough Council which involved managing all theatre and arts operations, programming drama and classical music for the Hexagon and Concert Hall, and co-producing the WOMAD festival.
Catherine said the LEP was an important organisation in driving forward the local economy, particularly culture and tourism.
“We have great art, cultural and visitor attractions which draw millions of people from right across the UK and all corners of the world to Coventry and Warwickshire,” she said.
“It’s vital we maximise the opportunities to promote our area, encouraging economic growth, stimulating inward investment and celebrating our area as a fantastic place to visit, live and work in.
“The value of tourism and the cultural industries we have here is well recognised by the CWLEP. I look forward to being part of the CWLEP Board as we set an exciting agenda for further growth and prosperity and help to encourage more visitors to stay longer.”
Sir Peter Rigby, chair of the CWLEP, said Catherine’s expertise in the cultural and visitor experience sector was a welcome addition to the board.
“The CWLEP’s strategy is to maximise all expanding and growing sectors which means culture and tourism is key because of the wealth of attractions we have across Coventry and Warwickshire,” he said.
“In the short and medium term we want to encourage businesses to compete nationally and internationally and encouraging cultural activity and tourists to visit is a key component.”