Chairs in Conversation: Chris Loughran, Chair at Beamish

Chairs in Conversation: Chris Loughran, Chair at Beamish

By Philippa Fabry|8 May 2024

Chris Loughran, Chair at Beamish, joins us to reflect on what’s been achieved over his first 12 months, and how he’s helped set up, configure, embed and develop the new Board at Beamish.

How did you work with the CEO and executive team to ensure a healthy balance between support and challenge?

Recruiting a new Chair and board, and moving away from a council-led board, were very brave things for Beamish to do. I’ve supported the CEO to challenge assumptions and build a new strong Executive Team structure that can meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.

For those of us who are from the North East, Beamish is an institution that all of the region knows and loves. But the board has worked together with the executive to look beyond nostalgia, so that we can develop our new strategy and remain relevant.

We’ve got a handle on the numbers and financial scrutiny. We have an Arts Council Investment Principles lead and a board competent person overseeing Health, Safety & Security. One of our Vice-Chairs will support philanthropy and partnerships, and the other on board health and support to our people team.

Ultimately it’s about building and maintaining trust so we can do the governance work in a informed way, balance oversight with strategy, and resist the temptation to pile in!

Category:Arts, Heritage & Culture

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Philippa Fabry

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Philippa Fabry

Partner

Philippa Fabry is a partner and shareholder at Peridot Partners, leading the Not for Profit Practice with expertise, creativity and empathy. With over 20 years of executive search experience across private, public, and not for profit sectors, she excels in recruiting leadership roles for charities. Her leadership expertise extends beyond Peridot as a mentor for a youth charity and leadership coach.

Philippa began her career as a curator in visual arts after graduating from Manchester University. She worked for a prestigious London art gallery before becoming Principal Curator of Contemporary Art at Harewood House Trust. She transitioned to recruitment in 2001 at an international headhunting firm, then served as Assistant Director at Veredus before joining Peridot Partners in 2011, becoming Director in 2015.

Her experience includes supporting organisations through Founder/CEO transitions, establishing new or renewed boards, and helping commercial candidates transition to the not for profit sector. She has partnered with UK charities to appoint skilled executives and diverse trustees.

Outside work, Philippa is an avid runner who has completed several half marathons and is training for her first Sprint Triathlon. She balances career with family and social life, passionate about the arts and helping young people reach their potential.