Our Director of Metal in Peterborough, Mark Richards, will be departing the organisation at the end of this year. Mark joined us in 2013, opening our central base in the city at Chauffeurs Cottage. This followed Mark’s previous role as Senior Relationship Manager at Arts Council England in the East region, where he held the role for ten years too. Mark is leaving to undertake a new and exciting venture, as he departs Peterborough to settle in Portugal, and open a new artist residency space.
“I have loved working here, supporting artists, organisations and communities to develop their creative ideas and build exciting new collaborative partnerships. I’ve worked with the best team over the years, without whom none of this would have been possible. Hopefully I’ve played a small part in nurturing the confidence of local creatives, encouraging their risk taking and building their ambition. It’s fantastic that Peterborough is now a Priority Place for Arts Council England, with new investment through the National Portfolio coming. I look forward to watching the further evolution of the city over the next decade.” – Mark Richards, former Director of Metal Peterborough
Living in Peterborough, Mark has remained committed to developing the city’s cultural infrastructure and championing it as a fantastic place for creatives to live and work. Working with us after his time at Arts Council England East, he has also held Board member positions for charities like SHED, and local organisations like Peterborough Pride, Peterborough Cultural Alliance, Syntax and Peterborough Presents. He has been a key driving force behind the new cultural strategy, and has been instrumental in developing the relationships between the arts and environment sectors resulting in many new artist commissions, participatory programmes and festivals like Harvest, seating 500 local residents for a meal with artists Lucy + Jorge Orta, and Planet B with The Green Backyard.
Mark stepped up as Interim CEO in November 2021, after Colette Bailey departed until November 2022, when Susie Thornberry, current Artistic Director and CEO, joined the organisation. Mark successfully led the organisation through the Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation bid.
Our Artistic Director and CEO Susie Thornberry said: “For ten years Mark has been a driving force in establishing Metal Peterborough and in championing the city’s arts and culture. Many artists, past and present staff and partners have benefited from his creative vision and generosity. We wish him the best of luck with his exciting new adventure and look forward to continuing Metal’s commitment to Peterborough.”
Our Senior Project Manager, Ruth Campbell, will lead our Peterborough site in the coming months. Ruth joined Metal in 2013 as an administrator, working on a website that promoted arts and culture in Peterborough. Since then, Ruth has been involved in many large-scale projects such as Harvest Festival in 2015.
Ruth Campbell, set to lead Metal Peterborough explains: “I’m looking forward to stepping into this role at an exciting time for Peterborough and its cultural development. Having joined Metal when it first set roots in Peterborough in 2013, I’m delighted to continue to support its journey and commitment to the city through art, culture and creativity.”
Our Board takes this opportunity to wish Mark all the best with his future endeavours and to thank him for the commitment, creativity and warmth he has not only brought to the role, but to Peterborough. The Board looks forward to supporting Ruth in the next chapter of her journey at Metal and knows that she will continue the impactful work across the region.
