Craig Titley-Rawson leaves South Hill Park on 31 October after nine and a half years as its head. The charity has spent more than it earned for four years running.

South Hill Park’s chief executive, Craig Titley-Rawson, is leaving the Bracknell arts centre at the end of the month. He steps down on 31 October 2026, after nine and a half years in the job.

The South Hill Park Trust announced his departure on Monday 12 October (South Hill Park, departure of chief executive). He joined in 2017.

No successor has been named. The trust says its board “will consider the longer-term leadership arrangements for the Charity in due course”.

Mark Hooper, who recently became interim deputy chief executive, will work with the board and senior staff in the meantime “to support continuity”. The trust says the programme carries on as planned.

What he and the chair said

Mr Titley-Rawson said it was time “to step aside as Chief Executive and look towards new challenges and adventures”.

“South Hill Park is a very special place, made so by its people, audiences, artists, supporters, volunteers, and communities,” he said. “It has been an extraordinary privilege to lead the Trust.”

The chair of the board, Michelle James, said he had carried out the role “with commitment, passion, and professionalism”. The trust did not give a reason for his departure beyond his own statement.

The charity he leaves

South Hill Park Trust is a registered charity, number 265656. Its accounts on the Charity Commission register show the arts centre growing under his leadership, but spending more than it brings in.

Year to 31 March Income Spending
2021 £1.27m £1.10m
2022 £1.67m £1.90m
2023 £2.10m £2.17m
2024 £2.17m £2.32m
2025 £2.31m £2.42m

In the year to March 2025 it took in £2,313,165 and spent £2,417,754, a gap of about £105,000. Spending has been higher than income in each of the last four years on the register.

The make-up of its income has changed too:

  • Government grants fell from £861,170 in 2020-21 to £343,280 in 2024-25. That year covers the pandemic closures.
  • Income from charitable activities, the trust’s performances, courses and workshops, rose from £148,610 to £1.51 million.
  • Other trading activities rose from £70,690 to £354,440.

Accounts for the year to March 2026 are not yet on the register.

A busy year for the arts centre

The departure comes five weeks after the trust began charging for its car park. Since 9 September the first 30 minutes are free, up to an hour costs £1 and up to three hours costs £3. We covered the South Hill Park parking charges when they started.

The arts centre, in the Grade II listed mansion off Ringmead, marked its 50th anniversary in 2023. Its coming events are listed on our what’s on in Bracknell page.

What it means for you

  • If you have tickets, courses or a booking, nothing changes. The trust says it “remains focused on delivering its programme”.
  • If you want to follow who comes next, the board has given no timetable. Vacancies are advertised on the trust’s own site.
  • If you support the charity, its published accounts are free to read on the Charity Commission register.