EAST SUSSEX.- The Board of Trustees of the De La Warr Pavilion announced the appointment of Stewart Drew as Director and Chief Executive of the De La Warr Pavilion from 1 January 2013.

Stewart joined the Pavilion in 2005, shortly before it reopened and has played a key role in both the fundraising and commercial operations as part of the senior management team. He has been Acting Director since October 2011.

Stewart studied Prints & Drawings at Camberwell College of Arts and began his career within the museum sector. Before joining the Pavilion, he managed grant-giving activity to graduates and new businesses at the Crafts Council, working nationally in partnership with Arts Council England, NESTA and Higher Education Institutions.

Steve Williams, Chair of the De La Warr Pavilion Trust says: “I am delighted that the Trustees unanimously decided that Stewart be appointed as Director and Chief Executive Officer of the De La Warr Pavilion. As Acting Director he has brought to fruition all the plans that Alan Haydon and he had made for the year including a revitalisation of the both the visual arts and the live programme. This already has had a measurable effect on the Trust’s performance and reputation both locally and nationally. Under Stewart’s direction, we believe the future of the Pavilion will be in safe hands.”

Stewart Drew says: “It has been an honour to be part of the team that has established the De La Warr Pavilion as a leading player in the South East over the last seven years. As well as attracting audiences from the local, national and international areas, the Pavilion has been a catalyst for further investment in the local area, as well as being part of the important investment in contemporary culture along the coast from Margate, Hastings, Eastbourne and through to Chichester.

As newly appointed Director and CEO, I am delighted to be leading the organisation into a new era. Our innovative and engaging visual arts programme will, of course, remain core to our work, working closely with Arts Council England to help deliver their vision Great Art for Everyone. We will also continue to develop our live and learning programmes and are committed to the ongoing conservation of this spectacular Grade One listed building. Our long-standing relationship with Rother District Council is essential in keeping the Pavilion accessible and engaging to all and, whilst striving to attract visitors and tourists into Bexhill, we will work to remain at the heart of our local community.”

The appointment has the full support of Arts Council England and Rother District Council, the Pavilion’s two main public funders.