Ealing's Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery have announced the appointment of British music industry executive, Rob Dickens CBE as their new Chair.

Rob will bring a wealth of expertise in leadership roles across the music, arts and entertainment sectors, spanning four decades.

The Board of Trustees of Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery announced his appointment which will start from 1 January, 2022.

Star-studded career

Rob joined Warner Bros Music Publishing in 1971, becoming Managing Director three years later at the age of 24.

Within five years he was appointed International Vice President and later Chairman of leading record company Warner Music UK.

He has worked closely with, among others, Enya, Madonna, Madness, Seal, REM, Cher, Sex Pistols, Rod Stewart and Vangelis.

He reinvented the Brit Awards to become a highlight of the British Record Industry's calendar and in 1999 set up his own entertainment company, Instant Karma, as an independent label, and a music publishing company Dharma Music.

Rob was the longest serving Chair of the music industry trade organisation, the BPI and in 2002 he was awarded a CBE for services to the music industry in the Queen's Jubilee Birthday Honours list.

Rob has been a Trustee of the Victoria and Albert Museum (where he was also a Director of V&A Enterprises), National Portrait Gallery, Handel House, The Watts Gallery and Youth Music.

He has been Chair of the Museum of Childhood, The Theatres Trust, (the national advisory body on theatres in the UK) and The British Architectural Trust at RIBA.

Rob said: "I believe my experience, especially in the worlds of entertainment, museums/galleries and arts education, will help bring Pitzhanger even more to life and provide an enjoyable and informative destination to young and old from all walks of life.

"The twinning of the house with a contemporary art gallery couples internationally known artists of today with one of the best examples of Georgian architecture which, going forward, is an exciting prospect, especially for Ealing and the diverse surrounding areas but also for the wider world."

Clare Gough, Director of Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, said: "We are delighted to welcome Rob Dickins.

"Having opened successfully in 2019 but then had to close due to COVID just twelve months later, we really look forward to working with Rob and benefitting from his extensive experience as we address the exciting but challenging period ahead."

Succession

Rob Dickins will succeed Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles who has been Chair of Pitzhanger's Board of Trustees since 1 November 2012.

Clare added: "We are immensely grateful to Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles for his nine years as Chair during which time he has made such an enormous contribution to Pitzhanger and helped secure it for the enjoyment of future generations."

Sir Sherard said: "I warmly welcome Rob's appointment as Pitzhanger's second chair.

"He has the skills, experience, energy and talent to take our beloved Pitzhanger to a new level. I am so glad."

During Sir Sherard's tenure, Pitzhanger:

- Reopened to the public in 2019 after a three year, £12M award-winning restoration project

- Raised the funds to enable the conservation, and survive lockdown in a strong position

- Engaged over 12,000 young people in its learning and outreach projects