We are pleased to announce that Sian Alexander, a Chiswick-based senior management consultant in the arts, has been appointed as the new Chair of the Trust. Effective 9 June, Sian succeeds Sir Derek Myers, who recently stepped down after serving as Chair of the Trust for the past four years.

Sian Alexander said:

As a Chiswick resident of over 30 years with many happy memories of family picnics, dog walks and cultural events at Chiswick House, I have experienced first-hand the wonderful rejuvenation of Chiswick House & Gardens under the Trust’s stewardship. It’s a privilege now to be able to combine my professional experience and my passionate belief in the role of culture, heritage and nature to enrich the lives of local communities, as the new Chair. I very much look forward to working alongside Xanthe Arvanitakis and my fellow trustees to further the Trust’s vision of greater wellbeing for local communities through free access to the beautiful grounds, and more opportunities for young people and community groups to enjoy and connect to nature and the history and heritage of this precious place.

Sian was Executive Director of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre (2015–2021) and Executive Director of the Bush Theatre (2012–2014). As Associate Director of Julie’s Bicycle (2010– 2013) she established a national programme to support the UK theatre industry to become environmentally sustainable.

Prior to this, Sian was Head of Theatre in London at Arts Council England for 10 years until 2010. She is a board member of Julie’s Bicycle and the Rose Theatre, Kingston and was previously Chair of Trustees for Frantic Assembly 2010-2020, trustee of the Gate Theatre 2015 – 2023, Vice Chair of the London Theatre Consortium, and on the advisory board of artist collective ‘non zero one’. Sian became a Clore Fellow in 2006.

As a consultant she has worked with organisations such as Wiltshire Creative (Salisbury Playhouse, Festival and Arts Centre), The Place, Artangel, Art Fund, Creative Industry Finance, Kiln Theatre (then Tricycle) and the World Stages Consortium among others.

A local Chiswick resident, Sian was Chair of Governors of Grove Park Primary School, Chiswick (2006–2013). In 2019 she was appointed Chair of Hammersmith & Fulham’s Women’s Equality Commission and she served as an LBHF Climate & Ecological Emergency Commissioner throughout 2020.

Xanthe Arvanitakis, Director of Chiswick House & Gardens Trust said:

I am very excited about the prospect of working with and learning from such an experienced arts sector professional. As a Chiswick resident, I know that Sian feels as passionately as I do about the value the Trust adds to local people’s lives.

I also want to formally thank our outgoing Chair Derek Myers who, as well as setting up a new board of Trustees, provided invaluable guidance throughout the pandemic when the Trust’s finances were hit hard, our future precarious whilst remaining open for all to visit. With Derek’s support we responded to the impact of Covid with an exciting new vision for the House and Gardens, a 10-year business plan and ambitious capital development projects which will have great social impact for our local communities. I look forward to delivering these projects with Sian’s expert guidance.

Former Chair, Derek Myers said:

It has been a privilege to be Chair of the Chiswick House & Gardens Trust for the past four years. I step down knowing the organisation is in a good position, with a strong strategy, ambitious and well supported forward plans, a growing membership and an excellent staff group. I wish Sian the best of luck in her tenure as the new Chair of the Trust.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Derek for his commitment to the Trust over the last four years and welcome Sian to the Board. Meet our other trustees.

Chiswick House and Gardens Trust is a charitable organisation, your support helps deliver volunteering, community outreach and learning activities as well as provide dawn-til-dusk access to our award-winning 18th-century landscape for everyone every day. If you would like to find out how you can support Chiswick House and Gardens Trust, visit our ‘Support us’ page.