SAGE Gateshead’s general director Anthony Sargent has today (Friday, April 25) announced he is to stand down after 15 years at the helm of the North-East’s premier musical venue.

Mr Sargent will leave his post in April 2015, following the venue’s 10th Birthday in December 2014.

In addition, Katherine Zeserson, who has been director of learning and participation at the venue since 2002, has said she will also be moving on in early 2015.

Mr Sargent, who was awarded the CBE in July 2013 and also currently chairs the International Society of Performing Arts based in New York, said: “Sage Gateshead has been the longest chapter of my life I’ve ever committed to a single project.

“It’s been an enormously fulfilling 15 years, and I’m proud beyond words of the extraordinary team of staff, musicians and board colleagues whose achievements have together given Sage Gateshead such an internationally acclaimed first decade.

“Working with them has been a daily inspiration, seeing Sage Gateshead now so vividly established as one of the international triumphs of a region with so much cultural success to be proud of.

“I’m looking forward very much to our 10th Birthday celebrations, and then to seeing all the new developments and triumphs of Sage Gateshead’s second decade building on the foundations we’ve established so far”

Sage Gateshead chairman Lord Falconer of Thoroton, said: “The fact that Sage Gateshead has established a national and international reputation as one of the great venues of the world is due to the tireless dedication and leadership of Anthony Sargent.

“He leaves an extraordinary legacy of achievement and an organisation that is recognised as one of the very finest centres for music performances and education.

“I also pay great tribute to Katherine Zeserson, whose leadership in the field of music education is recognised internationally. Both Anthony and Katherine have made an enormous contribution to the cultural landscape of both the North East and the UK, and I thank them enormously.”