The Chair of the Board of Trustees of Hastings Contemporary, David Pennock, has announced that he is to step down after ten years. During his decade at the helm, David has championed the gallery’s transition from private entity to fully independent charity, culminating in the recent gift of this wonderful gallery by the Jerwood Foundation to the town of Hastings and a 99-year lease being granted to the charity to secure its long-term future.
Hastings Contemporary is delighted to announce that Trustee Sarah Hopwood, formerly Managing Director of Glyndebourne Opera, is to step up as Interim Chair. Sarah’s outstanding business acumen and experience in the arts provide both welcome continuity and fresh impetus at this important time for Hastings. It is with great pleasure that the Trustees and staff welcome Sarah to this leadership role.
Paying tribute to her predecessor, Sarah said,
“David has made an exceptional contribution to both Hastings and the gallery. His legacy is strongly reflected in the charity’s mission to bring world-class art to Hastings and importantly to ensure that we enrich lives by offering new experiences, support creativity and help our local community to thrive.
“Hastings Contemporary’s current exhibitions, by artists Hurvin Anderson, Nengi Omuku and Roland Hicks, give a snapshot of the power of art to inspire, to tell stories and touch lives.
“I am delighted to be leading Hastings Contemporary as Interim Chair and look forward to working with the executive team and trustees to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.“