A NEW chairman has been unveiled for Bury Met - after her initial appointment as treasurer.

Helen Clayton, a partner at chartered accountants PM+M, has taken the helm at the popular venue, run by Bury Metropolitan Arts Association and part funded by Arts Council England and Bury Council, as the town marks being Greater Manchester’s first Town of Culture.

Her focus will be on supporting the board and wider team including growing the variety of events staged both at The Met and in the wider community, and helping as many people of all different ages, abilities and backgrounds to access the arts and music in Bury.

She said: “I passionately believe in the work we do so I’m delighted to have been appointed chair of such a fantastic organisation.

“I want to ensure we to continue to focus on building for the future by securing more funding, expanding both our corporate and individual sponsorship programme, maintaining the fantastic venue we are all so proud of as well as being a central part of our community.”

Helen added: 2020 is going to a big year for Bury as we are Greater Manchester’s inaugural Town of Culture so we are aiming to really capitalise on that profile and create as many opportunities as possible in 2020.”

Victoria Robinson – CEO of The Met – added: “Helen has added so much value since she joined the board last year so we are thrilled that she agreed to become our new chair – especially as her love for Bury and making the arts and music accessible to everyone really fit with our core values.

Victoria added: The Met has been involved in Both Sides Now, which is a ground-breaking initiative to support, inspire and showcase female music creators and industry professionals across the North of England, so we are incredibly proud to now be an all female-led organisation.”

-ENDS-