Celebrating two decades of Imagineer as Jane Hytch steps down as CEO

"It’s almost impossible to pick individual highlights. Whilst always hard work, the culmination of each of our projects has brought me - and all those involved - much joy and pride. Moments that come to mind include the first time the giant Godiva walked; UK fashion icon Zandra Rhodes, high up on a cherry picker fixing Godiva’s frock in a secret location in Coventry; and Godiva and her Cyclopedia being chased by Hampshire police as she rode along the A5 to London during the Olympic Games.

"I’m proud of the young people graduating from our Transformations programme and watching their achievements as well as nurturing young women as producers and creative leaders through projects like Bridge. So many wonderful memories along with personal and shared achievements."

Imagineer is celebrating almost two decades of achievements as founder member and Chief Executive Jane Hytch steps down to embark on semi-retirement.

Alongside fellow founder members Kathi Leahy, Claire Maddocks and Andrea Simpson, Jane has embedded herself in the arts in Coventry, growing Imagineer into a thriving organisation, housed in the Daimler Powerhouse with National Portfolio investment from Arts Council England, and with a strong future ahead with new CEO and Creative Director Angus MacKechnie.

Founded in 2005, the original founding directors of Imagineer, had the imagination, initiative and enthusiasm to see that arts, culture and creative industries had a real and growing role to play in Coventry and Warwickshire’s future.

Jane has been at the helm of a multitude of groundbreaking arts events that have brought joy and creativity to tens of thousands of people across Coventry and around the world, as well as bringing in millions of pounds in funding to the city from major arts projects from Godiva Awakes and the creation of their giant Godiva to the multi-million-pound restoration of the historic Daimler building into a dynamic creative space. Jane’s work was recently honoured with an honorary doctorate by Coventry University.

Jane Hytch, who stepped down as Chief Executive at the end of 2023, said: "I am immensely proud of what Imagineer has achieved over the last 18 years, playing a part in the growing cultural sector in Coventry, and through the meaningful engagements we’ve had with the people of Coventry, in all communities, as well as communities across the UK.

John McGuigan, Chair of the Board at Imagineer, said: “Quality of life, with all that means in terms of creative arts, heritage, sport and leisure, is what feeds people’s souls and their individual and collective commitment to ‘make a difference’. Jane is someone who makes a difference. Not many people can really say they changed a city and its people. Jane is someone who can.”

From January 2024, Jane will begin her semi-retirement by leading the Creative Explorers programme in Nuneaton and Bedworth, working alongside the new Creative Director and CEO. The Transformations project has been awarded £440,000 from the Reaching Communities fund (National Lottery), which will allow the programme to continue for three years working with 16 to 29-year-olds in Coventry, Nuneaton and Bedworth.

Find out more at: https://imagineer-productions.co.uk/ news/