Bronte Society president defends leadership of literary group

Bonnie Greer yesterday hit back at members who have raised 50 signatures in a bid to oust the literary society’s ruling council.

Ms Greer said the Society and Bronte Parsonage Museum were well run.

She said: “The Society is run in a professional manner by a diverse team of skilled individuals. Business strategies are in place and outcomes are continuously monitored.

“Additionally, the staff at the Museum are to be congratulated on their ongoing work and they have excellent fund raising record in a very challenging economic climate.”

She said members were “understandably concerned” at the departure in June of the Society’s executive director, Ann Sumner.

“I would like to reassure members that Council has not been idle since Professor Sumner left. Council has used the last couple of months to review the role of the executive director and a skilled leadership team is in place and doing a fine job at the museum.”

Ms Greer rejected claims that council members were “enthusiastic amateurs”, saying they had extensive professional experience.

“As a former deputy chair of the British Museum...I can assure members that the Council is in very good shape,” she said.

It was “surprising” none of those criticising the Society had stood for election at the annual meeting in June, she added.