South Hill Park's long-time Chief Executive/Artistic Director has stepped down after 16 and a half years in the job. 

Ron McAllister, whose last working day will be mid-August, will be leaving the arts centre to  take up an artistic development role at the Marist School in Ascot. 

McAllister said: "I have been working on succession planning for some time with the Chairman, Bob Angell and the Trustees of South Hill Park, and I feel that this is an appropriate time for me to move on and take up a new opportunity.

"We had a record year last year, more than achieving our financial targets, and there is a strong artistic team in place to work with our new Executive Director, Craig Titley, who joined us last month. 

"There are exciting plans afoot for South Hill Park's future development, and I have every confidence that the arts centre will go from strength to strength.

"I have had an amazing time at South Hill Park. It has been a delight to watch the artistic development of generations of people who have connected with our work - one of the most extraordinary arts centres in the country.

"There are challenges ahead, and I urge everyone who values the arts in society to support the Centre as it embarks upon its future artistic enterprises and fundraising campaigns.

"I am very excited to be taking on a new challenge in September at The Marist School in Ascot, working with their very talented staff and pupils on developing artistic projects which I hope will enhance the excellent work going on there."