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Camden New Journal - by SUNITA RAPPAI
Published: 17 May 2007

Arts chief to retire

HAMPSTEAD Town Hall chief Dr Alan Tomkins is stepping down from the top post after almost 20 years because of ill health.
The chief executive, who came under fire for failing to involve community groups in the running of the building, had major surgery last November to replace damaged hip and knee joints.
He had been expected to return to his job at Interchange, the charity that runs old Hampstead Town Hall, later this year but told the New Journal he decided to quit after doctors warned he could face further surgery in the autumn.
He dismissed suggestions that he had been pushed out following criticism of his management style by senior colleagues in a leaked memo last year – and a fiery public meeting organised by the Friends of Hampstead Town Hall which also attacked his management.
He said: “I had assumed that the operation would be a quick fix but that has not been the case. I just thought – I am 60 years old, I have reached retirement age and it is time for me to look after my health.
“There has never been any notion of me being asked to leave. There was some discussion in fact on whether I should come back part time but the idea was not really fair to Interchange or to me. I thought it would be better to have a clean break.”
In a statement, senior manager celia Greenwood said: “The board of trustees expressed their appreciation of Alan’s major contribution to the stability and expansion of the charity, including spearheading the refurbishment of the building and making it the new home for Interchange.”

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