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Watershed announces new CEO
Bristol’s world-renowned cinema and cultural hub is to have a new leader at the helm.
As of Wednesday, Clare Reddington will take over the reins from Dick Penny, who will focus on a subsidiary venture, developing new ways to contribute to creative growth across the city after 20 years as CEO of Watershed.
The organisation made the announcement following what it called “a period of reflection, imagination and future planning”, hailing it an opportunity to capitalise on an “unprecedented moment of both stability and growth”.
is needed now More than ever
The Watershed hosts the Pervasive Media Studio
Clare will lead the organisation alongside executive director Miriam Randall.
The new CEO, who joined Watershed in 2004 and established the organisation’s creative technology and international programmes, said: “It has been a great joy to work alongside Dick Penny in this uniquely collaborative organisation for the last ten years.
“I am equally excited and humbled to be taking on a new challenge within an organisation I love, but have every confidence that Miriam and I are more than ready to work with our excellent team on the next stage of Watershed’s journey.”
Miriam added: “Watershed is open, fearless and inclusive; a world leader and a local icon. This is thanks to the exceptional vision and passion of Dick, Clare and the team and the rich partnerships they have forged in Bristol and beyond.
“I’m thrilled to be working with them to take this special organisation into the future.”
Watershed has grown and developed over the last ten years
Over the last ten years, Watershed has achieved substantial and sustained growth, including growing cinema audiences, the creation of the Pervasive Media Studio and Rife, and an increasing international profile.
Dick will take on leadership of Watershed Ventures, a new subsidiary with a focus on managing Watershed’s plans to increase capacity and extending its role across the city.
“It’s a personal joy to see colleagues emerge as respected cultural leaders and it gives me the opportunity to indulge my passion for our city by putting more time into extending Watershed’s role in the city region,” he said.
Watershed will be hosting a celebration of Dick Penny’s achievements in September as thanks for his leadership and vision.
Main photo of Miriam Randall and Clare Reddington. Photo by Jon Aitken.
Read more: Celebrating a decade of innovation at Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio
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