John Durant, CEO of @Bristol, has stood unopposed as ECSITE-UK’s proposed candidate for chair, succeeding Colin Johnson, CEO of Techniquest, at the conclusion of his two-year term in 2004.

Johnson will continue his support for the organisation as an ECSITE-UK committee member.

Durant thanked Johnson for his unstinting service in the organisation’s launch years and highlighted the progress made under the leadership of Johnson and executive director, Melanie Quin.

He urged ECSITE-UK members to capitalise on the benefits of collaboration at such a critical stage in the development of the science centre sector nationally, pointing to the funds that can be raised, the expertise and resources shared, and the costs saved through inter-institutional partnerships.

For 2003/04, ECSITE-UK has three main priorities: to continue ongoing projects involving SDCs and partners outside the sector; to expand membership services, raise the sector’s profile and identify funding opportunities; and to grow its portfolio of activities and programmes – involving ECSITE-UK members and other parties. ECSITE-UK’s next AGM will take place on 6-10 September 2004. Details: www.ecsite-uk.net