The new director of the Riverhouse Barn has vowed to make the arts centre a huge success over the next 25 years, including implementing a new youth theatre.

John Baraldi, a self titled specialist for arts centres on the Thames, started in his new role on July 8 and has led centres and theatres across the country for the past 30 years.

Mr Baraldi said it was an “exciting opportunity” to apply his talents and experience at a “marvellous centre with an excellent history”.

In the 1980s, Mr Baraldi worked as the director who launched the Brentford Watermans Arts Centre and was later the chief executive of Riverside Studios, Hammersmith.

Mr Baraldi has also previously worked as director of East 15 Acting School in Essex for nine years, where he won nearly £1m of government funding to merge with the University of Essex, and head of Berne Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham.

Mr Baraldi said: “My aim is to expand the services and activities of ‘this hidden gem’ so that it reaches all parts of the community, young and old, and receives the local, regional, national and international reputation it deserves.

“One of my pet projects will be to start an exciting theatre project for teenagers in September, an innovative theatre workshop which will create stimulating theatre for young and old.

“Working with Peter Allen, arts officer for Elmbridge, I hope to create a youth theatre which will excite and challenge young performers to do work of a very high standard.

“The centre has done remarkable things in the past 25 years. My job is to ensure that the next 25 years are even better.”

Mr Baraldi has also worked internationally and two years ago, was invited to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen when arts leaders came together to celebrate the achievement of youth arts.