Stratford Town Trust appoints new Chief Executive
Due to Novo’s significant experience and networks within the executive search charity marketplace we were awarded the opportunity to work with The Stratford Town Trust in the Summer of 2018 to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Through a combination of targeted charity sector executive search headhunting and comprehensive advertising selection, Novo was successful in appointing Sara Aspley as The Trust’s CEO in October 2018.
Stratford Town Trust, a grant-giving community charity based in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, announces the appointment of Sara Aspley as its new Chief Executive. Sara will take up the role from 29 October 2018, succeeding Justin Williams, who left earlier this year.
Sara 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-facing income generation activities, including retail, catering and tours. She also led the team that delivered the RSC’s live cinema broadcasts, bringing RSC productions to cinema audiences in more than 28 countries across the world. She is a Governor of Stratford-upon-Avon School and has been a non-executive director with Culture Coventry Trust.
Sara Aspley 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, 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.”