COMPTON VERNEY.- Compton Verney announced the appointment of Geraldine Collinge as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

She is taking over from Julie Finch, who joins Hay Festival Foundation as its new CEO.

Geraldine comes from a highly successful 12-year stint at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) holding most recently the role of Director of Creative Placemaking and Public Programmes. Amongst her achievements is leading the major capital project - the £4.5m Swan Wing - which came in on budget and on time, winning the RSC a construction industry award.

Geraldine initiated the RSC’s creative digital programme with work from Romeo and Juliet on Twitter to A Midsummer Night’s Dream in partnership with Google. She has very well-established networks in the region, particularly as Deputy Chair of Culture Central.

Prior to joining the RSC, Geraldine led Apples and Snakes repositioning how we engage with the spoken word and playing an important part in the careers of Lemn Sissay and Kae Tempest. Before that she was Programme Manager at Battersea Arts Centre.

Geraldine joins Compton Verney at an exciting time and will build on Julie’s success as CEO. Julie has successfully led the organisation through the Covid-19 pandemic, increasing and diversifying audiences and the programme, developing a successful ‘One Compton Verney’ brand and strategy, and positioning the charity for its next stage of development through an ambitious site master planning programme.

Geraldine’s diverse leadership credentials will enable Compton Verney to maximise the cultural offer to the widest range of audiences and develop excellence across art forms utilising the whole site as well as digitally, further positioning the venue nationally and internationally.

The Board of Trustees are delighted to welcome Geraldine to the Compton Verney community as she takes on this important leadership role and are very much looking forward to all that she can bring to this extraordinary venue.

Penny Egan, Chair of Compton Verney House Charity said: “I am delighted Geraldine has accepted our offer. Deeply rooted in the West Midlands and a self-professed fan, she will bring a wealth of relevant experience to the next stage of Compton Verney’s development. I look forward enormously to working with her.”

Geraldine Collinge said: ”I am thrilled to be joining Compton Verney as CEO. It is a wonderful venue in beautiful countryside with such potential for growth. I look forward to taking it on the next stage of its journey.”

Erica Whyman, Acting Artistic Director, RSC said: “Geraldine is a visionary and compassionate leader, who has been an essential part of the RSC’s creative life for more than 12 years. She has transformed our campus in Stratford and created unforgettable experiences and lasting partnerships in the town and across the region. We are very sorry to see her go but delighted she will be staying in Warwickshire and very excited to see the impact she is bound to make with our friends at Compton Verney. We wish her all the very best in this new adventure.”

Geraldine will take up her role in October 2022.