Gloucester welcomes Head of Culture and Leisure Services

LOUISA DAVIES has been appointed the new Head of Culture and Leisure Services for Gloucester City Council.

With over 20 years' experience in the arts and heritage sector, Davies was a Senior Producer of the Birmingham 2022 festival. She has formally held creative programming and producing roles at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Royal Shakespeare Company and Birmingham’s Midlands Arts Centre.

Davies has been in a temporary role at Gloucester Council since last year as a freelance executive producer and consultant, including with independent theatre companies and local authorities. 

In her new role, Davies will lead on plans to reinvigorate art and culture in Gloucester, following on from a £500,000 Arts Council England grant for a three-year cultural programme called Together Gloucester, run by Gloucester Culture Trust, which is also receiving £450,000 from the council.

Her role also involves overseeing Gloucester Guildhall, which was awarded national portfolio status in 2023, and the Museum of Gloucester.

“Arts Council England has recognised Gloucester’s importance, determining it a Priority Place and helping the city achieve record investment in its cultural sector,” Davies said.

“This is such an exciting time to be a part of the cultural scene here and in my role, I want to help cement Gloucester’s position as a creative city and cultural destination now and into the future.”