BH Live has appointed a Venue Director for Croydon’s Fairfield Halls, one of London’s most cherished cultural event and entertainment venues.
Neil Chandler will take up the position later this year and work with the project team and partners in preparation for the venue opening in late 2018.
Fairfield Halls is currently undergoing a £30 million refurbishment to develop a cultural quarter for the town with the venue at the heart of the community.
Neil will be responsible for the strategic direction and financial performance of the venue; delivering a rich, diverse and inclusive programme of entertainment events. He will also manage its day to day operation, focusing in particular on event programming, community engagement, partnership working and business events.
“To join BH Live and lead the iconic Fairfield Halls into a new era is both an honour and privilege, says Neil.
“BH Live’s track record in managing community assets, event programming and delivering exceptional hospitality gives me immense confidence and the opportunity they have given me to be part of this project, both artistically and operationally, will be very rewarding. I look forward to connecting with the local community and to presenting seasons of entertainment that appeals to a local and wider audience.”
Neil has a well-established connection with Fairfield Halls and the local community, having previously led its operation in 2010. In 2016 Neil was one of three nominees for the UK Theatre Manager of the Year Award, the annual award presented by Industry body UK Theatre.
“We are delighted to welcome Neil to the team, adds Peter Gunn, BH Live’s Chief Executive.
“He has a wealth of experience in this sector and his passion for community and culture will be a real asset to us and Fairfield Halls.”
Councillor Timothy Godfrey, Croydon’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure & Sport adds, “Neil has secured the best job in town. It’s great that he is coming back to the Fairfield with BH Live. It’s a combination of experience and knowledge that will get the new Fairfield off to a great start.”
Further opportunities join the BH Live team at Fairfield Halls will be publicised over the coming months at bhlive.org.uk/careers.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Home page photo-caption:
Neil Chandler, Venue Director – Fairfield Halls
Neil Chandler bio:
- Cruises Lines (Carnival Corporation, Princess Cruises), Cruise Director
- Fairfield Halls, Head of Operations
- Woodville Halls (re-branded The Woodville), Gravesend, General Manager
- Kent Theatre & Marketing Managers Association, Chairman
- ATG, The Bristol Hippodrome, General Manager
- ATG, New Wimbledon Theatre, General Manager
In October 2016 Neil was one of three nominees for the UK Theatre Manager of the Year Award, the annual award presented by Industry body UK Theatre.
About Fairfield Halls, Croydon
Fairfield Halls has been Croydon’s principle cultural venue for over 50 years. Following a major £30m refurbishment investment it is scheduled to re-open in late 2018. The investment in Fairfield Halls is part of an overarching masterplan to develop a cultural quarter for the town and re-establish the iconic status of the venue at the heart of the community.
The building will operate as a multi-purpose venue, with a 1,500 seat concert hall, 800 seat Ashcroft Theatre, The Arnhem Gallery (up to 400 seats) and numerous additional meeting rooms, restaurants and performance space.
Together with adjoining hospitality areas its can accommodate concerts, cultural events, musicals, theatre productions, conferences, exhibitions, meetings, retail catering, restaurants and banquets. The venue will deliver a broad mix of music, dance, opera, comedy, light entertainment, community and corporate events.
The London Borough of Croydon’s ambition is to develop a centre for arts, culture, entertainment and community participation – BH Live has been selected as the preferred operator to deliver this vision.
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Matt Goode
E: matt.goode@bhlive.org.uk
T: (01202) 055564
About BH Live
BH Live is the south coast’s leading operator of leisure and event venues; a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
With 3.4 million visits a year and over £39 million turnover, the organisation is changing lives – placing it at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
In 2016/17 BH Live hosted more than 500 events, sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment tickets. They had 2.9 million activity attendances in its leisure centres and welcomed 100,000 conference and exhibition delegates into its venues. This contributed an estimated £44 million to the local economy through business and cultural tourism. For more visit bhlive.org.uk
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