THE head of an arts organisation responsible for a range of high-profile multi-million-pound projects is taking up a newly created post with the Mount Stuart Trust.
Heather Stuart – no relation to the family – will take up the role managing a portfolio package of commercial, culture, heritage, residential and rural strands.
She will join the team in October after winding down her role as CEO of OnFife, the body that runs Fife’s art galleries, libraries, museums and theatres. Heather Stuart is the first CEO of OnFife and has been with the organisation for almost 14 years.
The chair of the Mount Stuart Trust is Sophie Crichton-Stuart. She said: “We were looking for someone who could lead Mount Stuart Trust through its next chapter while staying true to everything that makes this place so special.
“Heather brings an exceptional combination of strategic leadership, commercial experience and a genuine commitment to heritage, communities and people. Her collaborative leadership style made her the outstanding candidate.”
The Mount Stuart trustees have created this role to provide clear strategic leadership across its diverse activities and to guide the next stage of its development.
Heather Stuart oversaw the £7 million transformation of the Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy and museum and art gallery extensions in Dunfermline.
She said: “The decision to leave has not been an easy one. I believe passionately in the importance of what OnFife does and it’s particularly difficult to leave the organisation I set up as its first CEO.
“There’s never an ideal time to leave a role. However, sometimes a personal opportunity comes up that shouldn’t be missed. It’s also important to allow room for different ideas and perspectives to come into organisations.”
Sophie Crichton-Stuart noted: “Heather will work closely with our senior management team, building on the strong foundations already in place across the Trust. Together, they will continue to develop Mount Stuart’s work, strengthen relationships with our communities and partners, and ensure the Trust continues to thrive.”
The chair of the OnFife Board, Gary Love, said: “Heather has been an outstanding, forward-thinking CEO and has steered OnFife through many challenges over the years, at all times being driven to deliver the best cultural services possible for Fife.”
Away from her desk, Heather Stuart is a keen golfer and was the first lady captain of Kirkcaldy Golf Club.
