After six
successful Sydney Writers’ Festivals, Ben Strout has decided to step down
from the role of Executive Director at the end of 2014.
Ben joined SWF in
February 2009 and has overseen growth in the Festival’s annual turnover
of more than 60% while attendances grew to a record 89,000 for 2014.
Deena Shiff, Chair of Sydney Writers' Festival, notes, “Ben has made a
truly significant contribution to the Sydney Writers’ Festival managing
its growth to become one of the leading Literary Festivals in the world.
His careful management and stewardship over the last six years will
enable us to hand to a new Executive Director, a robust and exciting
cultural organisation. The Board are grateful that we will continue to
work with Ben as he assists the company with its transition to a new
Executive Director and advises us on our new audience development
programs in 2015.”
In announcing his
planned departure, Ben said:
"I am very
happy with what we've achieved over the past six years. I've worked
with three remarkable Artistic Directors - Wendy Were, Chip Rolley and
Jemma Birrell; with many supportive board members, sponsors and patrons;
with a thousand terrific volunteers; with great writers and with the most
extraordinarily gifted staff. This past Festival was in many ways
the most successful we've ever produced. It's a good time to think
about what's next."
While we are
reluctant to let him go, we are confident Ben will remain part of the
Festival for many years to come. We wish him all the very best in his
future endeavours. In the meantime, we plan to ensure that the last few
months we have with him are packed with some memorable events and lots of
fun.
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