Brent Woods is leaving his role as chief executive of The Media Centre in Huddersfield after 12 years.
He will leave in July to become director of The Yorkshire and North East Film Archive. The Media Centre is now recruiting for his successor.
Since joining The Media Centre in 2009, Brent has connected hundreds of West Yorkshire businesses in a bid to foster collaboration and growth in the town.
Home to almost 200 companies – spread across the Northumberland and Lord Street buildings – The Media Centre is a social enterprise that reinvests all profits into nurturing business start-ups and young people, as well as the region’s arts and culture scene.
During Brent’s tenure, the company has introduced many new initiatives to the area, including Code Club, PechaKucha Night and Huddersfield SOUP, as well as supporting the launch of The Making Space, Notwestminster Conference, Green Drinks and Speak Up.
Furthermore, Brent established links with the University of Huddersfield including their collaboration on ‘Knowledge Sandwich’ – a series of free lunch and learn sessions exploring the hard and soft skills required to run a business.
Speaking ahead of his departure Brent said: “I have enjoyed an incredible 12 years leading The Media Centre up to its 25th anniversary.
“We’ve reached new audiences and communities and helped countless people to develop their creative confidence by building the right environment for people and ideas to come together.
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“Now, as The Media Centre enters a new era as a contemporary, flexible workspace, I am excited to offer the reigns to someone who will drive this remarkable organisation into its next chapter.”
Providing a hybrid of serviced offices, co-working, and meeting spaces – as well as support for digital and creative businesses in Huddersfield – The Media Centre has seen significant growth in recent months, with brands eager to find a ‘home’ that encourages collaboration and networking between tenants and the wider region.
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Andrew Bird, chairman of the board of directors, added: “Brent has made a significant impact on The Media Centre during his 12-year tenure, eliminating its dependence on public funding and driving change management programmes to enable us to be more sustainable and resilient.
“Brent was the driving force behind the centre’s reputation as an inclusive space for people to work, learn, discuss, inspire and connect.
“While they are undoubtedly big shoes to fill, we’re looking forward to welcoming new talent and ideas into the company – in order to further drive Kirklees forward as a hub of creativity.”
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Brent will oversee the appointment of his replacement, with applications now open at www.themediacentre.org/jobs.
