SARA Aspley has been appointed as the new chief executive of Stratford Town Trust.
She will take over the top job at the grant-giving community charity, succeeding Justin Williams who left earlier this year.
Sara, who will take up the post at the end of the month, has just stepped down at the end of her term as chair of Stratforward, the Business Improvement District, which recently secured the support of businesses for a further five year term under her leadership.
She has held senior positions in a number of organisations, most recently with the Royal Shakespeare Company as director of commercial services, where she was responsible for the audience and visitor experience, and all public income generation activities, including retail, catering and tours.
She also led the team that delivered the RSC’s live cinema broadcasts, bringing the company’s productions to cinema audiences in more than 28 countries across the world.
She is a governor of Stratford School and has been a non-executive director with Culture Coventry Trust.
Sara said: “I am really looking forward to building on the excellent work continued by my predecessor Justin Williams. Stratford Town Trust has a vital role to play in creating a positive future for the town – our residents, businesses and visitors.
“It has provided fantastic support to a huge range of projects and I want to make sure people know about the great work it does and the opportunities available to apply for funding.
“I would like to enhance the grant giving strategy so we can secure the very best for Stratford now and in the future, and I am looking forward to growing the Trust’s relationships with our partners, stakeholders, and local community groups.”
Chair of trustees, Quentin Willson, was pleased to welcome Sara.
He said: “The trustees were determined that the new CEO would be able to continue the excellent work of the trust, as a proactive grant-giving charity bringing benefits to so many Stratford residents.
“Sara’s wealth of experience from the charitable sector and her active contribution to the local community will be of huge benefit to the trust.
“We had a very strong field of applicants, but Sara’s expertise and enthusiasm for what we want to achieve made her shine through. I look forward to working with her and the team in the future.”
