Chris Smith is a local resident who has lived in Kingsclere for the last 20 years with his wife and three daughters.

During a career spanning 40 years he has worked across the different facets of the cultural sector in the UK and internationally, including independent arts trusts, (The Citizens Theatre, Cumbernauld Theatre) local government services, (Aylesbury, Newport, Reading), and commercial producers (WOMAD Festivals Ltd).

Throughout his career he has specialised in the importance of cultural organisations connecting with their communities and how a strong and innovative programme of arts activities enhances the profile of a region and brings benefits to all sectors of a community.

Among the highlights in a colourful career: raising £18m to build the Newport Theatre and Arts Centre, the first Head of Culture for Reading Borough Council, combining venues, museums and libraries into a single entity, and taking the WOMAD Festival to many countries around the world including the challenges of working in the North Caucasus and deepest Mexico.