TV executive to run Yorkshire town's major new art gallery

David Liddiment, former director of ITV programmes, is the new chairman of The Hepworth Wakefield Operating Trust.

Originally from Huddersfield, he will be chairman of the newly-formed trust as the gallery moves towards opening in May next year.

His appointment to the part-time non-executive position is the first step in establishing The Hepworth Wakefield as an independent charitable trust.

He will take up the new position immediately and begin recruiting the full board and overseeing the transfer of operations from Wakefield Council to the trust.

The Hepworth Wakefield will be the largest purpose-built gallery outside London. Wakefield Council is confident that it will attract at least 150,000 visitors a year.

Council leader Coun Peter Box said: "David Liddiment brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and connections, from both the private and public sector to the project and I am very pleased to welcome him to Wakefield.

"The Hepworth Wakefield is a major development for Wakefield and Yorkshire and will position the city as a major cultural destination in the UK.

"Wakefield Council looks forward to working as a close partner of the trust, which David will lead. I was impressed by his understanding for what we will achieve with The Hepworth Wakefield, his clarity of vision for the organisation and his drive and enthusiasm."

Mr Liddiment said: "I am delighted to be the first chair of the Wakefield Hepworth Trust and look forward to guiding this extraordinary cultural initiative to a successful future.

"As a local boy I take particular pride that this magnificent building and the wonderful work that it will showcase is happening in West Yorkshire."

David Liddiment has spent most of his career in television, much of it with ITV and Granada.

He was educated at Huddersfield New College and Liverpool University and became well-known as executive producer of Coronation Street, nurturing a new generation of TV dramatists including Paul Abbott, Kay Mellor and Russell T Davies.