Arts centre bossMike Jones takes over from long-serving Kenny O'brien

The Stand comedy clubs have announced a replacement for Kenny O’Brien, its long-serving general manager.

Mike Jones, formerly executive director of the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal in Cumbria, will be joining the venues' parent company, Salt N Sauce Promotions, and will take the title of managing director 

Before his 16-year stint at The Brewery, he worked at Glasgow’s Centre for Contemporary Arts, Paisley Arts Centre and Clyde Unity Theatre.

He also has a long association with the trade union movement, having worked for the Scottish Miners, the Scottish TUC and the Merseyside Trade Union Centre.

Jones said: ‘I'm delighted to get the gig running The Stand comedy clubs and to return to living and working in Scotland. 

‘Kenny is a tough act to follow but I'm excited to have the opportunity to work with the Stand team and I'm already looking forward to my first Fringe at the helm.’

O’Brien added: "It has been a unique privilege to have played my part in the Stand Comedy Clubs: a hare-brained scheme which will doubtless feature in our future cultural history. 

‘I love it enough to leave it though, and it’s easier to go when I’m passing the keys on to someone with such obvious empathy for the gig. I wish Mike and all the Stand family every success in bringing laughs to the masses for many years to come.’

Jones will formally take over at the company, which has venues in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle, on May 1.

Published: 29 Jan 2019