Change in leadership for Newbury Corn Exchange

The Corn Exchange has today announced a change in its leadership as current director Katy Griffiths will move on this summer.

Taking over the role of director will be Jessica Jhundoo-Evans, who has been the organisation’s deputy director since 2020.

Jessica previously ran arts and culture social enterprise Creative Junction and worked for Arts Council South East as part of the National Creative Partnerships programme. She chaird the board at South Hill Park Arts in Bracknell.

The current executive team of Danielle Corbishley (head of 101 and Outdoor Arts), Guy Dickens (head of technical and operations) and Gemma Twiselton (who moves into the new role of head of programme and audiences) will be joined by Ruth Stillman in the role of head of development. Ruth has worked for the Corn Exchange since 2016 as fundraising and philanthropy manager. The change to the executive team roles will take place from the beginning of July.

Outgoing director Katy Griffiths said: “My connection with the Corn Exchange spans more than a decade and it has been a huge privilege to lead this wonderful organisation with its dedicated and passionate team during this time.

“I am hugely proud of everything we have achieved and my heartfelt thanks go out to all of the fantastic people who we have worked with to achieve this shared vision and success.

“It is now time for me to hand over the reins to Jessica, and having worked closely with her for the last three years, I know the Corn Exchange will continue to thrive under her guidance.”

Jessica Jhundoo-Evans said it had been a “wonderful experience” working alongside Katy for the past three years. “She has been an inspiring and trusted leader and I know I, and the wider team, will miss her vision and presence.

“It therefore feels a real privilege to be handed the baton and at such an exciting time for the organisation. I’m looking forward to working with the team to realise all of the new activity and development work we have planned together and to continue our work as a cultural hub within our local community.”

Board of trustees chairman Robert Holland has praised Katy for all she has achieved for the organisation over the last three years, as well as in the previous periods she led the Corn Exchange. He said: “She has skilfully navigated the past few years, bringing innovative solutions to the challenges of the pandemic, successfully maintaining a place in the national portfolio, and guiding the organisation as it starts to expand into the Old Library.

“We wish her all the best for the future and look forward to continuing this work with Jessica and the team.”

Corn Exchange engages with over 130,000 people a year through its live events, extensive learning and participation work and free outdoor events. It presents a mixed programme of theatre, dance, comedy, music, film and family work in its 400 seat auditorium and 40 seat independent cinema. Every year it produces its own in-house pantomime and it supports a range of artists and companies across all artforms through commissioning and development opportunities, mentoring and production support. A key area of its programme is 101 Outdoor Arts: National Centre for Arts in Public Space – a specialist facility for the development of large-scale outdoor performances with rehearsal spaces, fabrication workshops and onsite accommodation. The Corn Exchange Trust also manages The Base Greenham visual arts and crafts centre with its gallery, workshop space and studios for resident artists.