New chief for lifestyle and cultural groups

Jan Souness

A NEW joint managing director has been appointed for Warrington’s wellbeing and cultural organisations LiveWire and Culture Warrington.
Emma Hutchinson, aged 36, currently cultural director at Culture Warrington will take up the post in February when current managing director Jan Souness steps down.
She has been chosen by the two organisation’s boards to lead and direct the organisations following an internal appointment process.
Emma has played an integral part in the development of the two companies, joining the senior management team as business development director in May 2012 when the organisations were formed following the transfer of the services from Warrington Borough Council.
She has contributed fully to the high level of success experienced across both companies over the past three years by leading, planning and managing all business development activities.
The new managing director will now lead the teams through their new business plans which have a real focus in providing more opportunities that improve the wellbeing of residents in Warrington. She’ll also work alongside both boards to develop new facilities and provide activities across the town’s neighbourhoods.
Maureen Banner, chairman of Culture Warrington, said: “The board of directors are delighted to have appointed Emma as our new managing director. We believe that given her previous experience and extensive knowledge of both organisations, she is a great fit for this role.”
Alan Yates, chairman of LiveWire, said: “The board is looking forward to working more closely with Emma. She is a great leader and has already provided a good strategic direction for the implementation of business infrastructure which has achieved growth across both companies.”
A business studies graduate from the University of Salford in 2001, Emma has held roles at a number of North West councils, leading teams across sports, education and children’s services.
Before joining LiveWire and Culture Warrington, she held the role of development and capacity lead for five to 19 year-olds at Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council, managing the third sector quality assurance and workforce development planning programme across the borough.
As announced last month, current managing director Jan Souness will still play an active role in both organisations after her retirement, taking on the part-time position of transformation projects strategic advisor, where she will provide strategic support on key projects.
Emma said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to this new role and look forward to working alongside both boards and as well as continuing to work closely with Jan Souness in her new projects support role.
“The next few years are going to be very exciting for both organisations with a wealth of new projects in the pipeline and I look forward to leading the strong and dynamic teams to deliver these important initiatives”.