The Piece Hall Trust has named six high-profile figures with Yorkshire and Calderdale connections as the latest ambassadors to join its expanding line-up of esteemed Patrons.
Award-winning local businesspeople and established charity fundraisers are amongst the well-respected individuals set to drive forward understanding and profile of The Piece Hall, selected from a range of backgrounds. They will utilise their recognised voices, helping to develop the historic building’s profile, introduce the venue to new supporters, expand the diversity of views and increase awareness of the Trust’s important work, including helping to promote initiatives such as the Click & Collect service.
The news follows recent announcements naming Good Morning Britain presenter and Citizen Khan creator Adil Ray as a high-profile Patron for the prized cultural venue, joining other eminent Patrons including DJ Graeme Park and television writer, producer and director Sally Wainwright.
Possessing a wealth of reputable business accolades including 2011 Businesswoman of the Year at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards and June 2017 British Empire Medal for Service to Diversity in the Retail Industry, Noor Ali is one of the latest ambassadors to be announced. The Senior Buying Manager for World Foods, Free From and Health & Wellbeing at Morrisons will act upon her passion for community engagement and culture and utilise her broad network to drive awareness of The Piece Hall’s profile and events.
With a strong cross-sector reputation as founder of Huddersfield’s Code Blue Group and a strong affiliation with the Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour charity and rugby league, Tony Kenny will help to encourage visitors from further afield to enjoy the unique experience of The Piece Hall.
Having played a key role in establishing a dedicated children’s hospice in Huddersfield, award-winning fundraiser Mandy Taylor will use her vast experience in the charity sector and recognised Yorkshire profile to raise awareness of The Piece Hall’s diverse, unrivalled opportunities as an economic driver for Halifax.
Former journalist and founder and director of Calderdale-based consultancy Waverley, Stephen Naylor, will bring a wealth of regional contacts and a diverse knowledge of the local landscape to help promote The Piece Hall as a place of great pride.
With strong roots in The Piece Hall dating back to 1970 when his family had a stall at the wholesale market, Halifax-born Andy Barron will also make a valuable contribution towards shaping The Piece Hall’s prosperous future.
Completing the line-up, Frederick Lloyd of Halifax-based VCEP LTD will help develop The Piece Hall’s reputation as a fantastic venue for retail, heritage and culture, having previously co-organised RNLI charity events with high-profile attendees and supported other Yorkshire art organisations.
Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, CEO at The Piece Hall Trust, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome such a highly-respected and notable group of figures into their important roles as Ambassadors of The Piece Hall, bringing their considerable collective knowledge to help our cause. These are challenging times for everyone, but with our new Ambassadors shouting from the rooftops about The Piece Hall, we’ll emerge from the current situation stronger than ever.
“With recognised voices across business, charity and other spheres, we are certain that Noor, Tony, Mandy, Stephen, Andy and Frederick will make an enormous impact in developing The Piece Hall’s profile, helping to raise greater awareness of all that our fantastic cultural destination has to offer for everyone.”