Kirsty joins Eureka! with a distinguished career in spearheading innovation and customer-led transformation across retail, financial services, and telecoms, having held senior roles with BT, Marks & Spencer, Walmart, Asda, and Boots.
Kirsty has been a long-time supporter of Eureka! having joined the Board of Trustees in 2012 and returning in 2022. She brings her personal passion and extensive commercial and transformation expertise to the role.
Kirsty Ward, Chair of Trustees at Eureka!, said: “I’m honoured to become Chair of Eureka! at such a pivotal moment in our journey. For more than three decades, Eureka! has inspired curiosity and creativity in young minds. I’m excited to build on that legacy and drive the next chapter — expanding our reach and impact so even more children can explore, play, learn, and believe in what they can achieve.”
Kirsty succeeds Jane Rice-Bowen, who has served as Chair since June 2022 and played a pivotal role in steering the organisation through a period of expansion and innovation, including the successful launch of Eureka! Science + Discovery on the Wirral in 2022.
Leigh-Anne Stradeski, Eureka! Chief Executive of Eureka!, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Kirsty as our new Chair. Her experience and values are a perfect fit for Eureka!’s vision and future ambitions. I’d also like to express our heartfelt thanks to Jane Rice-Bowen for her outstanding leadership and dedication over the past several years. Her guidance has been instrumental in shaping the Eureka! of today.”
Kirsty officially stepped into the role of Chair in July 2025 and will support the leadership team and board in delivering Eureka!’s mission to “engage children from birth to 14 in a range of play-based learning experiences which facilitate their emotional, intellectual, physical, social and creative development.”
By: Leigh-Anne Stradeski
By: Liz Peniston