Well-known North-West businessman and consultant to small and medium creative enterprises Tom Clark has been appointed as the new Chief Executive at the Storey Creative Industries Centre. For the past six months, he has served as a Board member with particular responsibility for finance.
“I am very excited by the great potential of my new position, and by the challenges and opportunities facing the Storey Creative Industries Centre,” says Tom of his new role.
A Financial and Development Director with experience in all aspects of financial and general management, Tom is the Chief Finance Officer for Southport-based Chequespread and a director of the management consultancy firm Convecto. He’s had plenty of experience with media, print, venture capital and general fund raising – the latter probably vital skills as arts organisations compete for a dwindling supply of public funds.
“Despite the difficult economic climate at the moment, the Centre has already established itself as a unique venue in which creative industries and arts organisations work in partnership to produce a vibrant and exciting environment,” says Tom.
“My objective in the next few years will be to identify major investment from the private sector to enable the Centre to operate on a self-sustaining basis and to become nationally and internationally recognised as an innovative hub for creative industries and the arts.”
The Storey is a not for profit organisation set in the heart of Lancaster’s conservation area. Based opposite Lancaster Castle, it’s described as a place “where art and industry spark” and home to numerous creative companies and individuals as well as home to litfest and the Spotlight Club.
“I am delighted to welcome Tom as our new Chief Executive,” says Baroness Ruth Henig, chair of the SCIC Board. “Under his guidance, and with the benefit of his wide experience, I believe the Storey CIC will develop into a major creative industries and arts centre of which the building’s founder, Thomas Storey, would have been proud.”