Watershed, Bristol’s ground-breaking media centre and café/bar, has appointed James Taljaard to the new senior position of general manager.
James, pictured, who joins after 11 years at Arts & Business (A&B), will focus on further developing the venue’s award-winning conference and events service.
He began his working life as a trainee accountant but swiftly moved to front of house work and marketing assistant at Theatre Royal Bath then to the Bristol Old Vic, where he became assistant general manager and licensee with responsibility for the theatre’s links with the business community.
After a short stint as general manager for Winchester Theatre Royal he joined Arts & Business, the national organisation that brings together the cultural and corporate worlds, as a business manager in its South West region, becoming director in January 2007.
Watershed managing director Dick Penny said: “We are delighted to welcome James to our dynamic Watershed team. He brings with him a breadth of experience and contacts which will help us to maintain our high level of customer experience in an increasingly competitive business and leisure market.
“Earlier this year we celebrated our 30th birthday and were reminded that one of our great strengths is the range of 
people and organisations who use and enjoy our facilities and offer. “This new role of general manager will give us the capacity to continue to successfully serve an ever-wider constituency.”
James said: “I’m delighted to join Watershed at this exciting time and look forward to working with the dedicated team to expand the excellent conferencing and café/bar offer.”
