Ahead of a busy autumn season Poole Arts Trust, the charity that runs Lighthouse, is delighted to welcome two new Trustees to its Board.
Greg Lowson and Andy Cole MBE bring with them a wealth of experience from a wide range of business sectors. Both will support the work of the Chair, MT Rainey OBE, as Lighthouse continues to pursue its ambitious plans for the future while delivering on its mission of delivering world class live performance, films and visual arts for the community it serves, not only in Poole and the wider Dorset region, but nationally as well.
“I’m delighted to welcome Greg and Andy to the Board,” says Elspeth McBain, Lighthouse Chief Executive.
“Their extensive experience will be invaluable in supporting Lighthouse to deliver a rich and diverse range of cultural opportunities for our community to enjoy. As a venue deeply rooted in its local community with national reach and impact, we are grateful to benefit from the remarkable expertise all our trustees so generously bring.
“Greg and Andy’s input will strengthen our work, helping Lighthouse continue to thrive as a vibrant cultural beacon.”
Greg Lowson retired to the region in 2023 after a 41-year career as a solicitor. He trained at a legal aid firm dealing mainly with criminal and matrimonial work, then moved to the City working at two leading firms dealing mainly with finance, insolvency and corporate disputes.
He moved to Pinsents (now Pinsent Masons) in Birmingham as their first lateral partner hire. He spent 32 years there as a litigation partner dealing with a broad range of disputes. In 2002, he became Head of Office and held that role for 21 years during which time he was also part of the firm’s Senior Leadership Team.
During his legal career he held a wide range of outside appointments including regional CBI Chair; trustee of Midlands Arts Centre; trustee of The Birmingham Repertory Theatre; non-executive director of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce for 16 years before becoming Chair in 2022, a position he still holds.
He was appointed as the Under Sheriff of the West Midlands in 2014 and has been reappointed to the role each year since then. In 2022, he became a non-executive director of Pertemps Network Group, the largest privately owned recruitment company in the UK.
Andy Cole MBE takes up his post in October. He has an extensive commercial background at director level in the retail, hospitality and entertainment industries and has worked at Board level in a wide range of voluntary organisations.
Born and bred in Poole, Andy studied at Bournemouth University and has recently moved back to the area after a 30-year hiatus working in Bath, Bristol and the Midlands. He is now Director of Commercial Enterprise for the renowned Lulworth Estate, a 12,000 acre UNESCO world heritage site with a wide range of commercial interests but with sustainability at its core.
From to 2013 to 2018, Andy ran Touchwood Shopping Centre in Solihull, expanding his knowledge to cover broader asset management and property to support his extensive hospitality knowledge. From 2018 to 2024, Andy took on the role of Director of Property, Partnerships and Media at the NEC Group, the largest events venue in the UK, with a broad responsibility over the portfolio of the International Convention Centre, bp Pulse Live, Utilita Arena Birmingham and the huge NEC exhibition complex. Andy has also had a career in hotel management, running hotels across the country, most notably taking two consecutive hotels from three to four star and winning awards for sustainability and quality.
On a voluntary level, Andy has served extensively with Chamber of Commerce and Round Table, started a Blood Bike charity in Solihull, served over seven years supporting a multi-academy trust and has just finished a term as a Trustee of Citizens Advice. In 2017 Andy was awarded an MBE for his services to the retail, hospitality and charity sectors.
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