Fenton and Henderson step down from Contact

Manchester's Contact Theatre will appoint a new leadership team for 2022, as Artistic Director and Chief Executive MATT FENTON and Head of Creative Development SUZIE HENDERSON step down.

Fenton, who spent eight years at the helm, plans to relocate to Belgium next year.

"I’ve loved every minute at Contact, working alongside Suzie and our brilliant team. Contact’s unique approach to working with young people as decision makers, trustees, artists and activists has inspired and rejuvenated me," he said.

Henderson will join Chester-based cultural charity Storyhouse in January as its new Creative Director. Current Artistic Director ALEX CLIFTON is stepping down.

Henderson is a steering board member of Manchester’s Cultural Education Partnership MADE, co-chair of its Youth Voice task group and a board member of Plymouth's Beyond Face.

"I am beyond thrilled to be joining Storyhouse, a venue that is so well loved by its local community and provides so many entry points for young people, communities and audiences through its library, theatres and cinema spaces," Henderson said.

"The opportunities for inclusion based programming and co-creation are vast and I am excited to get stuck in."