The vacancies are for a fair manager and a membership officer.
Top spot in the organisation of the trade body’s Berkeley Square fair (this year September 14-19) was previously held by a fair director. This position became vacant following the departure of Clare Hinde, formerly head of special events at the Royal Horticultural Society, who was hired in March to replace Mieka Sywak, director of the LAPADA event for more than five years.
Simms told ATG that the new role of fair manager would “allow for someone to develop into the role of director and give them room to grow into it”. She added that, given the current stage in the annual fair cycle, it would be difficult now for someone to step into a full director’s position.
With extensive experience in fair organisation as former director of The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia Simms is set to be closely involved with the running of the fair.
The other new position, membership officer, has been created to focus exclusively on members’ needs. Simms added that LAPADA continues its drive to grow dealer memberships.
The recruitment is the latest in a series of movements that have taken place at the trade association this year. Simms stepped into the role of chief in April following the departure of Patricia Stevenson, ex-publishing director of Tatler magazine, after just three months.
