Starcatchers’ Chief Executive announces decision to step down after almost 20 years

In a landmark moment for Starcatchers, long-serving Chief Executive, Rhona Matheson, has announced her decision to step down after almost 20 years of visionary leadership. This marks the end of an era for Scotland’s arts and early years organisation, which has grown under Rhona’s guidance from a pilot project in 2006, originally initiated by North Edinburgh Arts and subsequently hosted by Imaginate, into the established organisation pioneering arts and creative experiences for babies and very young children today.

Rhona shared:

“After nearly 19 years, the time has come for a change in leadership at Starcatchers and I will step back as Chief Executive of this wonderful organisation from the beginning of May this year.

I have relished every moment of the journey Starcatchers has taken, the joy, magic, innovation and the challenge. I’m honoured to have worked with hundreds of incredible artists and practitioners and partnered with brilliant organisations and professionals since Starcatchers began as a pilot in 2006. Most of all I’m so very proud that tens of thousands of babies, toddlers, young children and their parents, carers and families have had the opportunity to engage with or participate in wonderful performances and activities that have been made especially for them and that theatre or arts experiences for babies is now something that is expected as part of growing up in Scotland.

I always knew there would be a time to hand over the reins and I’m delighted that as I move into a new phase of my career that the stewardship of this special organisation will be tended by two incredible professionals and colleagues. Heather Armstrong who has overseen the development of our work with the ELC workforce and with childcare settings and Jenny Phillips who has delivered our productions and artist development activities will undertake a new Co-CEO role from May 2025. Their combined expertise alongside the power of the Starcatchers team will be a force to be reckoned with!

This is not a final farewell from me to Starcatchers, more a step to the side: I will continue to work with Heather, Jenny and the awesome Starcatchers team over the coming months in a strategic role as we transition into our new model of leadership, I will also be working with equity catalyst, Elevate Great (formerly Cattanach) as Strategic Lead for Participation, with arts organisations from Catalonia, The Netherlands and France to evaluate a new Early Years Creative Europe project and hopefully will be undertaking a PhD that will focus on babies rights in Scotland.

I know Starcatchers will continue to go from strength to strength and I can’t wait to see how the organisation flourishes.”

Jude Henderson, Chair of Starcatchers’ Board shared, “Whilst it will be hard for all of us to imagine Starcatchers without Rhona at the helm, we are delighted to support the progression of two brilliant leaders within the organisation. Heather and Jennifer are perfectly situated to take us into the next phase of our development following the success of our Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding application. We’re making a mindful transition and are grateful that we’ll continue to benefit from Rhona’s experience and commitment in her new role in the coming months.”

As Rhona Matheson steps down, current Head of Artist Development, Jennifer Phillips, and Head of Early Years Development, Heather Armstrong, will take on the role of joint Chief Executives. Jennifer and Heather have been a key part of Starcatchers for several years and will continue to lead the company through this exciting new phase. They said, “We are honoured to step into the role of joint Chief Executives at such an exciting time. With the launch of the national tour of our groundbreaking performance, Float, we are continuing to push the boundaries of what the arts can do for the very youngest children. We look forward to carrying on the incredible legacy created by Rhona and guiding the company into its next chapter.”

Find out more about Starcatchers’ production of Float by Kerry Cleland and Company, Scotland’s first ever durational performance designed specially for babies from birth to 12 months old, and their grown-ups.