Alliance MBS Chief External Officer is new chair of Contact

13 Jun 2016

Contact has announced the appointment of Dil Sidhu as the new Chair of their Board to replace Charles Lauder, who steps down after nine years

Dil is Chief External Officer at Alliance Manchester Business School, where he is responsible for key commercial relationships and stakeholder engagement. An alumnus of London Business School and Harvard University, and with experience gained from the retail, government and professional services sectors, Dil has taught on executive education and MBA programmes across the world since 2005.

Contact is the leading national arts organisation placing young people’s decision making and leadership at the centre of the organisation. Young people work alongside staff in deciding the programme, act as board members, and are integral to making staff appointments. The recruitment of board chair was no different, with Dil interviewed by a panel of young people.

On the appointment, Matt Fenton, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Contact, commented:

"We are incredibly excited that our young people’s panel has confirmed Dil Sidhu as the next chair of Contact. In Dil we have found someone impressive, skilled and highly engaged with Contact's mission to empower young people through art. We are especially pleased to have his guidance as we enter the next exciting phase of our development with building refurbishment and relaunch on the horizon. Our thanks go out to Charles Lauder, our inspirational outgoing chair, who has done so much for the staff, artists and young people at Contact."

Dil Sidhu said of his appointment:

"I am humbled, honoured and excited about the election to Chair of Contact’s Board.  Contact is an integral catalyst to develop, nurture and present young talent to Greater Manchester and around the world. The work that has been done to date by Matt Fenton, Charles Lauder, the Board members and the great team at Contact has been instrumental in creating an innovative and artistic entity for the benefit of budding young talent and the communities that they represent.

This is going to be a great learning journey for me but also a fun and personally rewarding endeavour!"