Alistair has steered the gallery successfully through a dramatic period of change, as it was renovated and modernised for 2008.
He is leaving us to take up a new challenge in Folkestone, and is the latest of a number of high profile departures from our cultural community in the last few months.
Tate director Christoph Grunenberg and Lewis Biggs, founding director of the Liverpool Biennial, spring to mind.
They all had their part to play in the runaway success that was our European Capital Culture year, and they will always be remembered with gratitude here and welcomed back when they return to visit us.
Which brings us neatly to Libor Pesek (review on Page 3, opposite) music director of the RLPO for 11 years and now its Conductor Laureate.
Good to see him back and still on top of his game – if slightly less sprightly than of old – at 78.
