A POWYS castle has appointed a new executive director as it prepares to open fully to the public for the first time in its 900-year history.

Dr Tom True has been announced as the new executive director for Hay Castle, in Hay-on-Wye.

Tom, who takes up his post in March, holds a PhD in art history from Cambridge University and has worked in leadership roles for cultural institutions in Rome, Narbonne and London.

Tom said: “It’s an incredible privilege to be leading Hay Castle at such an exciting turning point in its history.

“Hay Castle is a special place, set in a magical town and landscape. It has the potential to become a cultural centre of international importance and a major new hub for the community, for the arts and learning. I can’t wait to get started and play a part in the next chapter of its story.”

Sue Malthouse, chair of Hay Castle Trust, added: “We’re delighted to have Tom on board as our new executive director.

“This is a vital role in steering the castle and we had some great candidates, but Tom’s fantastic mix of skills, experience, vision and enthusiasm really shone through. He will be taking up the baton from Nancy Lavin Albert who, over the last 10 years, has taken the castle from crumbling ruin to major new venue, and the trustees would like to pay tribute to her for the tremendous job she has done in.”

Tom, 37, joins Hay Castle just as it prepares to open its doors, after the biggest restoration in its history, this summer. His first tasks will be to recruit the remainder of the castle’s new team, as well as relocating with his wife and young family from Somerset to Powys.

The Hay Castle Trust was formed in 2011 to purchase and restore Hay Castle and to open it to the public for the first time. Hay Castle is at the heart of the town famed for its literary festival and known as the Town of Books.

When Hay Castle opens this summer, Wales will have an important heritage destination, a new centre for learning and the arts and a space for the community to come together.

The castle is a scheduled ancient monument with Grade 1 and 2 listed buildings, comprising a ruined medieval tower, ancient gateway and curtain wall, an imposing Jacobian mansion, registered gardens and characterful outbuildings which were let out as shops.

The restoration has been made possible thanks to over £5 million from the National Heritage Lottery Fund and £1.6m match funding from various trusts and individual donors.