Gwilym Gibbons

Gwilym is a social impact entrepreneur and senior leader with a strong track record in culture, heritage, and education leadership within rural and social enterprise settings. A passion for whole system and circular economy development focused on enabling places to be creative and healthy for people and the planet. He has an extensive track record in sustainable growth through partnership, collaboration, and innovation. He has been Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust since April 2018 where he has led the development of a bold new vision for a new way to work, live, study and play – cross-generational, age-friendly and adaptive, low carbon and tech-enabled while staying highly socially connected.

In previous roles, he led Horsecross Arts (Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre) and while in the post he oversaw the £16m redevelopment and restoration of the historic Perth Theatre. For eight years prior he was the first Director of Shetland Arts, where he spearheaded the development and construction of the award-winning Mareel, the UK’s most northerly cinema and music venue. Gwilym is also Chair/ Co-founder of the Future Economy Company home to the Creative Entrepreneurs Club, Fashion Foundry and Creative Game Changers. He was an inaugural board member of Creative Scotland and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He was Awarded in 2013 an Honorary Fellowship of the University of Highlands and Islands for his outstanding contribution to education and the arts. Gwilym also spent six years on the Scottish Government ERDF Grant Advisory Panel for the Highland and Islands. He is the founder and inventor Safe Passage new satellite imagery enabled marine navigation solution developed in partnership with the University of Strathclyde, Chair of Tourbook CIC, Vice-Chair Dumfries and Galloway Economic Leadership Group. When his pager calls, Gwilym is an active Lifeboat Crew Member of Nith Inshore Rescue.