We’re delighted to welcome Professor Michael Farthing, previously Vice Chancellor of the University of Sussex, as new Chairman of the West Pier Trust.
Professor Michael Farthing has a distinguished background in medicine, both as a physician and an academic, in a career spanning more than 30 years. Before moving to Sussex he was Principal of St George’s, University of London, which specialises in medicine and health sciences. He was also Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Medicine for the University of London.
During his time as Vice Chancellor at the University of Sussex, he implemented a strategy which saw a doubling of student numbers and turnover. He was also responsible for driving the regeneration and opening of the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts.
Michael Farthing joins the Trust at a key moment in its history. Having delivered the BA i360 and now on a more secure financial footing, the Trust looks forward to its return to a seafront office and developing an exciting new programme for the coming decade. In his role as Chairman Michael will lead the strategic planning and fundraising for this programme, forging bonds between the Trust, the city of Brighton and Hove, and the wider national and international heritage and arts communities.
Michael Farthing said: “It was a real honour to be invited to join the West Pier Trust team at such an exciting time in its history. The opportunities to develop the Trust and its assets for the benefit of Brighton and its visitors have never been better, thanks to the devoted stewardship of the Trust by my predecessors, who kept their nerve during some challenging times. Now we will need bold ideas and strong support from our members and the wider community to secure the glittering future”
The Trust’s Chief Executive, Rachel Clark, said “The Trust is delighted that Michael Farthing has agreed to take the helm of the West Pier Trust. Our ambition is to see the West Pier Trust become a dynamic heritage site for the city and Michael’s track record clearly demonstrates that he has the capacity to take that ambition and make it a reality.”
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