THE new chairman of the charitable foundation behind the Penarth Pier Pavilion has described the role as a "huge privilege".

Professor Tony Hazell has been appointed chairman of Penarth Arts and Crafts Limited after Paul Twamley stood down from the role earlier this year.

Since re-opening at the end of 2013, Tony has had an active involvement in the venue and is thrilled by his new role as Chairman.

Tony joined the Board of Trustees at PACL in May 2012. Since then he has been actively involved in the work of PACL and has played an important role in the project to restore the Penarth Pier Pavilion.

A Penarth resident since 1986, Tony held senior academic posts at what is now Cardiff Metropolitan University. He has also had a number of public appointments and is currently a non-executive director of the corporate governance committee of the department for education and skills at the Wales Government. From 2009 to 2010 Tony and it was during this time that he began to take an interest in the work of PACL.

Tony, who held the position of High Sheriff of South Glamorgan between 2009 and 2010, praised the work of the retiring chair, Paul Twamley, and acknowledged his invaluable contribution to the Penarth Pier Pavilion.

“I have absolutely no doubt that, without Paul’s leadership since taking on the role of Chair in May 2012, we would not now be enjoying the splendid facilities of the renovated Pavilion. His knowledge and experience gained from a successful business career have been crucial to the success of this project. However, I believe that the real driving force behind his work as Chair has been his personal commitment to, and enthusiasm for the provision of an important community facility for the people of Penarth and beyond. I am delighted that Paul has agreed to continue as a Trustee of the charity."

Tony also paid tribute to the work of the Board in supporting the project and particularly in the provision of a wide range of professional knowledge and skills, all of which have been given on an entirely voluntary basis.

He added: “Since we opened the Pavilion at the beginning of December last year, the Pavilion team, under the leadership of the Pavilion Director, Dr David Trotman, have worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of the wide-ranging activities available within the Pavilion. One of my most important roles as Chair is to provide appropriate support to the team. I regard it as a huge privilege to have been appointed as Chair of such an exciting charity and will do everything that I can to ensure the continuation of a range of activities in support of its important objectives and, in particular, the continued success of the Penarth Pier Pavilion."