Music and Swahili accompany county's farewell to Oxford Inspires' Chief Executive

Monday 4 September, 2006

Oxford Inspires 'culture kaiser' Robert Hutchison took his leave from Oxford in characteristic style, accompanied by music and songs—including ones in Swahili and Gaelic—at a reception hosted by Modern Art Oxford.

The chief executive of Oxford Inspires bowed out at the end of August after four years at the helm of the county's cultural development agency. The director of Modern Art Oxford, Andrew Nairne, paid tribute: "Oxford is now very well placed to be among the most exciting contemporary cities in the UK—with the arts and culture at the heart of public policy and development. This would not be the case without Robert's ambitious and imaginative leadership over the past few years."

Richard Munro, head of cultural and adult learning services at Oxfordshire County Council and a board member of Oxford Inspires, also saluted Robert’s achievements in helping to change the face of culture in Oxford.

Oxford Inspires' Eka Morgan and Jacqui Ibbotson, together with colleague Kate Raworth, sang a medley of songs—and even persuaded the 100 people present to join in a Swahili round. There was more music from local musicians: saxophonist Jo Hamilton and accordionist Rupert Alison.

Robert's successor is Sarah Maxfield, who took up her post on September 1.

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