Culture Warrington appoints new Chair to guide it through new era
Claire’s new role also comes at an exciting time
Culture Warrington is under new leadership with the appointment of Claire Lloyd Fitzgerald as Chair of the Board.
The former Padgate High School student will be filling the big shoes of Maureen Banner who has stepped down after leading the arts charity for 13 years.
Claire’s new role also comes at an exciting time and the beginning of a new era for Culture Warrington with the £5million redevelopment of its Pyramid Arts Centre currently underway.
Drawing on her experience as a former borough councillor in her home ward of Orford, Claire will help guide the company’s strategy and ethos as well as the direction of its future plans.
As well as Pyramid, the company runs Parr Hall, Warrington Museum and Warrington Arts Festival, which last year underwent a major revamp thanks to combined support from Arts Council England, Warrington BID and Warrington Borough Council.
It’s a big task but Claire is no stranger to Culture Warrington having been involved with the Board since 2021 as an Observer and then as a Trustee.
The lifelong Warringtonian has also attended the charity’s venues since she was seven – from school trips to Warrington Museum with Oakwood Avenue School to enjoying gigs at Parr Hall such as The Charlatans, The La’s and The Boo Radleys.
Claire, whose favourite experience at Parr Hall was seeing indie band James in 2018 with friends and family on her birthday, said: “As the new Chair of Trustees, I feel a mix of excitement and responsibility. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact.
“I have a deep appreciation for arts and culture, and I believe in their power to transform communities and enrich lives. Culture Warrington's commitment to promoting these values aligns perfectly with my own.”
Alongside her role as a former borough councillor, Claire’s professional background has seen her specialise in operations, customer service and helping to protect vulnerable people.
She has worked in energy, finance and most recently the non-profit sector and has also been a volunteer for many organisations including a testicular cancer charity, the RSCPA, St Rocco’s and Breeze, a programme to encourage more women to cycle.
Claire added: “Along the way, I have built strong relationships within the Warrington community and I’ll be making the most of these connections to help facilitate partnerships and collaborations that enhance Culture Warrington's reach and impact.
“My experience in leadership roles has equipped me with the skills to guide and support the organisation effectively – ensuring that Culture Warrington continues to thrive.”
Claire’s immediate goals as Chair are to support Culture Warrington’s ongoing projects and improve outreach so more people of all ages and backgrounds are involved in the charity’s activities.
Her wider ambitions include working on a long-term strategy to future-proof the company, building more partnerships with like-minded cultural organisations, businesses, and educational institutions, making Culture Warrington’s programmes more inclusive and diverse, and securing more funding for the charity’s financial stability.
Claire said: “I feel that Culture Warrington is a vital part of our community. It plays a significant role in promoting arts, heritage, and culture, which enriches the lives of residents and visitors alike.
“I'm excited about the potential to make a meaningful impact and look forward to working with everyone involved.”