Acme Announces Leadership Transition as Richard Kingsnorth Steps Down After 30 Years

After three decades with Acme, Co-Director Richard Kingsnorth is stepping down, marking the end of an exceptional period of service that has helped transform Acme into one of the UK’s leading organisations supporting artists and England’s largest provider of permanent affordable artist studios.

Richard leaves behind a lasting legacy, having played a pivotal role in strengthening Acme’s financial resilience, operational capacity and long-term sustainability. An artist with a studio at Acme’s Carpenters Road Studios, he joined the organisation in 1996 as a part-time Rents Manager, initially seeking a role that would support his own studio practice.

Over the following three decades, he became a key figure in the organisation’s development, serving as Head of Finance from 2005 before being appointed Co-Director in 2018 alongside Lea O’Loughlin, working with Acme’s Co-Founder David Panton OBE until his retirement in 2025.

During Richard’s tenure, Acme significantly expanded its support for artists through affordable studios, work/live accommodation, residencies, awards and professional development opportunities. Under his stewardship, the organisation strengthened its financial position while remaining firmly focused on its core purpose: providing artists with the space, stability and opportunities needed to sustain and develop their practice.

Richard also helped guide Acme through some of the most challenging periods in its history, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, while strengthening the organisation’s long-term sustainability.

One of the defining achievements of this period was the acquisition of Acme Propeller Factory in Deptford, England’s largest artist studio building dedicated to genuinely affordable rents. Secured through a combination of fundraising, partnership working and financial planning, the purchase safeguards permanent affordable workspace for hundreds of artists and represents a major milestone in Acme’s mission to protect artists’ workspace for future generations.

As part of a planned leadership transition, Lea O’Loughlin will become Acme’s Chief Executive Officer, ensuring continuity of strategic direction at a pivotal moment in the organisation’s history.

Lea joined Acme in 2008 as International Residencies Programme Manager and became Head of Residencies and Awards in 2017 before being appointed Co-Director in 2018. Over nearly two decades with the organisation, she has helped shape Acme’s strategic direction, artist support and international partnerships, supporting more than 800 artists annually while championing artist mobility, inclusion, organisational resilience and long-term access to affordable workspace.

Prior to becoming Co-Director, she led Acme’s internationally recognised residencies programme and has held leadership roles across the visual arts sector, including serving as President of Res Artis, the global network for artist residencies, and as a founding steering committee member of CVAN London. Her appointment reflects Acme’s long-standing approach to sector advocacy and leadership development, enabling Acme to build on its success and extend its support for artists in the years ahead.

Paying tribute to Richard’s contribution, Lea O’Loughlin said:

“Acme and I owe what we are today in large part to Richard’s tireless and predominantly hidden behind the scenes work. Richard embodies many of the values that make Acme what it is: principled, thoughtful and always focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for artists. It has been a privilege to work alongside him, and I am deeply grateful for everything he has done to strengthen the organisation. As we look to the future, we do so on foundations that Richard helped build.”

Reflecting on his time at Acme, Richard Kingsnorth said:

“It has been a privilege to be part of such a remarkable organisation and to work with such an inspirational team for 30 years. The need to support artists is greater than ever, but under Lea’s leadership, and with her deep commitment to Acme’s values and mission, I am confident the organisation will continue to evolve in ways that strengthen its support for artists and safeguard opportunities for future generations.”

Acme’s Chair of the Board David Panton OBE said:

“Richard leaves Acme with an extraordinary legacy. His leadership has helped build a resilient organisation with a clear purpose and a strong platform for the future. The Board is deeply grateful for his contribution and everything he has done for artists over the past three decades. As Acme enters its next chapter, we do so with confidence. Lea O’Loughlin brings proven leadership and an unwavering commitment to our mission. The Board looks forward to working with her as Acme continues to strengthen its support for artists and respond to the opportunities and challenges ahead.”