PRESS RELEASE
Former Walker Morris head Peter Smart appointed as Eureka!
chairman with major gallery opening on the horizon
For immediate release: 9 October 2012
Peter Smart, recently retired executive chairman at Leeds-based law firm
Walker Morris, has been appointed as the new chairman of the board of
trustees at Eureka! The National Children’s Museum in Halifax, just five
months ahead of the opening of its new £2.9m Me & My Body gallery which
has been lead-funded by global health foundation The Wellcome Trust.
Peter was formally elected as chairman at the board of trustees’ meeting on
Monday 1 October, which also saw Kirsty Ward, Head of ASDA Money,
appointed as a trustee.
Speaking of the new appointments, Eureka! Chief Executive Leigh-Anne
Stradeski said “We’re delighted to have Peter as our new chairman,
especially as he joins us in the all-important run up to the opening of our
new gallery in March 2013. His experience leading one of the most
successful regionally based law firms to its status as a nationally recognised
legal practice gives us an impressive wealth of commercial knowledge and
expertise to tap in to. We’re particularly excited at the new perspective Peter
will bring to the table at this important stage in Eureka!’s development as we
seek to explore a range of new projects and opportunities for the museum.
“I’m also really pleased to have Kirsty Ward on board and am looking forward
to drawing on her invaluable experience with one of the UK’s leading
supermarket chains, as well as her previous strategic roles at Boots and
Marks & Spencer. Her work with these brands, and her understanding of
consumer audiences, has such a strong resonance with some of the
important themes we want to explore with children, families and schools
around health and well-being.”
Commenting on his new role at Eureka! Peter said “Eureka! is an exciting and
successful visitor attraction and an educational charity which brings
significant benefits to children and families throughout the UK. I am looking
forward to being actively involved with its ambitious plans for future
development. We still require about £400K for the new gallery and I’m
committed to achieving our fundraising target.”
Peter replaces outgoing chairman David Jackson who has been a Eureka!
trustee for a decade, with five years acting as chairman. David Jackson, who
is also chairman of specialist engineering support services group Redhall
Group PLC, was formally thanked by the Eureka! board for his energy,
commitment and enthusiasm for his leadership role at the museum which
has gone from strength to strength since it opened 20 years ago. In 2011
the Independent ranked Eureka! as the No 1 Hands-On museum in the UK
and in June the museum was voted Best family Day Out in the UK by the
What’s on 4 Junior Awards.
Visitor numbers for 2012 are on track to exceed 270,000, the highest
number in more than a decade.
ENDS
For additional photos or press information please contact Sophie Ballinger or
Anita O’Donovan on 01422 330069, or email press.office@eureka.org.uk.
Notes to the Editor
1. In 2013, Eureka! The National Children’s Museum will open the largest
single gallery redevelopment in its 20 year history. Designed by
award winning museum design specialists At Large, Me & My Body
aims to become a benchmark, ‘must do’ educational visitor experience
aimed at children from 0-11 and their families.
Using the very latest in play-based learning and exhibition content, the
new gallery aims to redefine the way in which issues around health
and well-being, and wider exploration of the human body, are
conveyed to a family audience.
2. For more information about the new £2.9million Me and My Body
gallery visit http://www.eureka.org.uk/newgallery
3. Eureka! is designed especially for children aged 0-11, with over 400
hands-on exhibits inspiring them to learn about themselves and the
world around them through imagination, play and discovery. For visitor
information call 01422 330069, visit www.eureka.org.uk, read the
Eureka! blog, All in a day’s play, become a fan on Facebook or follow
us on Twitter.
4. The standard Eureka! ticket is also an Annual Pass, letting all of the
party paid for on the day of the first visit to come back to Eureka! free
of charge as many times as they like over the next 12 months. Adults:
£9.95, Children age 3+ : £9.95, Toddlers age 1-2: £3.45, Babies age
0-11 months: free. Read more about the Annual Pass.
5. Eureka! is open 10am–5pm at weekends, during half-terms and
holidays. Term-time Eureka! is open 10am –4pm Tuesday - Friday,
and 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday. The museum is closed on termtime Mondays and between 24-26 December.
6. Eureka! is situated next door to Halifax railway station, just 10
minutes by car from junction 24 of the M62 and 17 miles from Leeds
7. Eureka! is an educational charity no. 292758