Conference 24 Contributors
Biographies for Conference 24: Making Theatres Thrive speakers and chairs.
Ian Archer, Chief Executive and Artistic Director Courtyard Theatre
Ian is currently the Chief Executive and Artistic Director of The Courtyard in Hereford in 2013. Before taking the helm at The Courtyard, Ian served as General Manager and Chief Executive of Hull Truck Theatre from 2011 to 2013, where he successfully guided the theatre through a period of significant development. His extensive career in theatre management also includes six pivotal years (2000-2006) as Manager at Clwyd Theatre Cymru, where he worked under the renowned director Terry Hands. This role allowed him to hone his skills in managing large-scale productions and community engagement initiatives, which would become the cornerstone for his future roles. Ian’s career has been marked by a commitment to fostering vibrant, accessible arts communities and a proven ability to steer organisations through both challenges and opportunities.
Caroline Barth, Creative Learning Director, Derby Theatre
Caroline has been the Creative Learning Director at Derby Theatre since 2013. In this role, she co-created (and continues to evolve) the Learning Theatre model, alongside Artistic Director and CEO, Sarah Brigham. Working in partnership with the University of Derby, the theatre offers the opportunity to learn alongside professional theatre practitioners. Her previous roles include being the first Education and Outreach Manager at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Head of Education at Theatre Royal Stratford East and Director of Creative Partnerships Derby, part of a national government-funded programme to support creativity across the curriculum in schools and colleges. In 2009, Caroline went on to work for The Mighty Creatives, the regional development agency for young people’s creativity. Her work with care experienced young people led directly to the development of the award-winning Plus One programme still thriving in Derby Theatre today.
Kathy Bourne, Executive Director, Chichester Festival Theatre
Kathy became Executive Director of Chichester Festival Theatre in May 2019 and is joint CEO of the Theatre with the Artistic Director Justin Audibert, overseeing every aspect of CFT’s operations. During this time, CFT has originated over 30 productions, co-productions and West End transfers. Kathy has over 30 years’ experience working in theatre. As Associate and Festival Producer at Chichester Festival Theatre between 2006 and 2015, she managed over 75 shows, as well as CFT productions on tour. She was lead producer for the Children’s Touring Partnership on several tours, she also oversaw many of CFT’s transfers into the West End. As Head of HR, Kathy championed CFT’s apprenticeship scheme, offering young people formal training in areas including technical, producing and education. From 2015 – 2019 she was Executive Producer at Jonathan Church Productions where she managed all business matters for the company, producing shows in the West End including Frozen, Pressure and Misty, as well as productions internationally and on tour. Prior to Chichester, she was Producer at Spymonkey; Head of the Theatre Division at Tiger Aspect; General Manager of Tamasha Theatre Company; and Development and Events Manager at the Dublin Theatre Festival. Kathy is Governor of Oakwood School, Chair of the Board of Headlong Theatre, Trustee of Spymonkey and recently elected as the new President of UK Theatre (2025-28) for a three-year term from July 2025.
Suzie Bridges, Suzie Bridges Architects
Suzie specialises in performing arts and sustainability projects. She has led the design and delivery of more than 20 major arts projects including the award-winning Pitlochry Festival Theatre Studio and Foyer; Pitlochry Festival Theatre Phases 1B and 2; Sadler’s Wells Theatre; Wigmore Hall; Royal and Derngate Theatres; Victoria Palace Theatre, Doncaster CAST, Chigwell School Drama Centre, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Criterion Theatre, and various West End theatres for Delfont Macintosh Theatres. Fundamental to Suzie’s design approach is an open and creative dialogue with her clients and project teams, based in a genuine desire to collaborate with her clients and respond to their vision. Repeat work for many of these clients demonstrates the strength of these relationships. She established Suzie Bridges Architects in 2011 having formerly been a Director at Arts Team RHWL.
Kris Bryce, Chief Executive, Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Kris is an award-winning executive with 30 years' experience in UK and Canadian arts organisations. As Chief Executive of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Scotland’s largest producing theatre, he has driven significant growth, including a £25M redevelopment project. Previously Head of Operations at Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre, Kris is Vice President of UK Theatre and serves on various arts boards. Known for strategic management, innovative revenue initiatives, and stakeholder engagement, his leadership is defined by a focus on mentoring future leaders and fostering sustainable, data-driven growth to enhance public engagement in the arts.
Ian Chalk, Ian Chalk Architects
For over a decade, Ian has led an award-winning studio focused on adaptive re-use of theatres and heritage buildings. He is a member of the Theatres Trust Specialist Advisor Panel and a Tutor at The Welsh School of Architecture. Current projects include an ambitious refurbishment of the Grade II listed Cambridge Arts Theatre, and a sensitive redevelopment of the iconic Art Deco Troxy in London. The studio’s in-depth understanding of performance spaces allows them to create resilience through flexible layouts supporting a variety of performances, improve experience for theatre companies and audiences, cultivate community relevance and make sensitive interventions which preserve the legacy of heritage theatres.
Colin Cobb, Partner, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Colin joined FCBStudios in 2007 having previously delivered projects in the performance venue and education sectors. At FCBStudios he developed these specialisms and has been now project partner for a range of venue buildings. Colin delivered the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, a £43m project to create a new-build, world class, music performance and teaching facility for Birmingham City University. He has since developed a specialism for working alongside local councils to redevelop their performing arts facilities, having led major expansions and refits to performance venues at Yeovil Octagon, Fareham Live and Watford Colosseum. These projects all involve significant proportions of retrofit, work with existing buildings and the creation of new performance spaces and auditoria.
Anna Collins, Theatres Trust Trustee and Cultural capital project consultant
Anna spent her early career in Scotland managing front of house operations for ATG and Glasgow Life across their portfolio of cultural venues. Anna became freelance in 2012 when she managed a London 2012 Olympic venue, followed by leading the development and operation of a new build competition venue for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games.For the last ten years she has been providing strategic leadership for clients undertaking significant new build and refurbishment projects within the Arts. Previous clients include, The Guardian News and Media Group, The National Theatre, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Northamptonshire Council and The Factory International. More recently Anna acted as Project Director for the RIBA-award winning Mountview Academy of Performing Arts’ new home in Peckham, and for the last two years has been leading the Dunard Centre project, the UKs first Nagata / Chipperfield designed concert hall which will become a flagship venue for the Edinburgh International Festival. Anna also sits on the committee of Edinburgh’s Royal High School project to develop Thomas Hamilton’s grade A listed building into a new performance space. Anna has a keen interest in architecture and is the co-founder of an award winning, sustainable accredited architecture practice alongside her husband. Anna became a Trustee on 29 April 2024.
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and Labour Councillor for Burnage Ward
Economy, Business & Inclusive Growth Lead, Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Bev became Leader of Manchester City Council on 1st December 2021. First elected in 2011 as a Burnage Councillor, she held a range of responsibilities on Manchester City Council including as Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health and Deputy Leader. Since becoming Leader, she has overseen Manchester’s ambitious plans to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy, increasing investment into neighbourhoods across the city, better outcomes for children and young people, tackling inequalities, building more housing and working to meet Manchester’s net zero ambitions. Bev is a Vice-Chair of the Local Government Association and Leader of the association’s Labour Group, which represents and supports Labour Groups in England and Wales, and the Labour councillors within them. In Greater Manchester she holds a range of responsibilities on behalf of the city as a Vice Chair, including leading on the Economy, Business, and International Portfolio for the Combined Authority. She was formerly Chair of Core Cities UK, the network representing the UK’s largest cities outside London. Originally from Belfast, she moved to Manchester in 2003 for university. After graduating from the University of Manchester she began her career in Local Government, before working in higher education and then a national trade union leading on social care. She holds postgraduate degrees from Warwick Business School and the University of Manchester. Outside of politics she enjoys sports and being outdoors, music, culture and enjoying all that Manchester has to offer.
Lee Craven, Bradford Live
Lee Craven is a Bradford-based director of a textile company who developed a fascination with the former Bradford Odeon, one of the largest and greatest of the inter war ‘palaces of entertainment’. He founded Bradford Live, an organisation dedicated to finding a viable long-term use for this much-loved landmark building. Bradford Live launched in 2012 and Practical Completion was reached this year. The venue comprises a main auditorium, ballroom, and several other performance spaces; all brought back to beautiful life under the direction of Tim Ronalds Architects.
Suba Das, Theatres Trust Trustee
Suba Das is an award-winning director, producer and dramaturg, brought up in the North East of England before reading English at Cambridge. He was Creative Director of the iconic Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatres and previously Artistic Director and Chief Executive of HighTide, one of the UK's leading new writing theatre companies. Prior to HighTide, Suba was Associate Director at Leicester Curve, overseeing all artist development and community engagement; and Resident Director at the National Theatre Studio and English Touring Theatre. Suba's other directing credits include the world premiere production of Ravi Shankar's only opera Sukanya for the Royal Opera House and London Philharmonic Orchestra; and for the Young Vic, The Roundhouse, Northern Stage, Nottingham Playhouse and Bolton Octagon. Suba is passionate about access to theatre buildings and cultural activities for audiences of all backgrounds across the UK and he is also a trustee of the North Music Trust (Sage Gateshead); and the Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival.
Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council
Portfolio Holder for Inclusion and Skills, North East Combined Authority
Cllr Tracey Dixon is the Leader of South Tyneside Council. Cllr Dixon was first elected to represent the Labour Party for the ward of Whitburn and Marsden in May 2002. Prior to becoming Leader of the Council in November 2020, Cllr Dixon has served for many years as a member of the Cabinet, including as Lead Member for Culture and Wellbeing between 2008-2011, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety in 2012-2015, and Lead Member for Independence and Wellbeing between 2016-2020, as well as Deputy Leader of the Council between 2019-2020. Cllr Dixon is a Cabinet Member for the North East Combined Authority and is also the Chair of the Education, Inclusion and Skills Board. She is a member of the Transport for the North Board & Partnership Board. Cllr Dixon serves as the Chair of the Association for Public Sector Excellence (APSE) Advisory Group – Commercialisation and is Chair of the APSE Northern Region. In addition, Cllr Dixon is Lead Member for the Local Government Association Culture, Tourism and Sport Board. Professionally, Councillor Dixon co-owns and runs a restaurant and has an extensive background in hotel management.
Liam Evans-Ford, Theatres Trust Trustee and Executive Director and CEO at Theatr Clwyd
Liam is Executive Director and CEO at Theatr Clwyd, the biggest producing theatre in Wales, taking up the post in 2016. During his time the organisation has increased its annual turnover from £5m to £7.2m, won UK Theatre, Olivier, and Stage awards for their work, and progressed an ambitious and essential £50m capital redevelopment. Before joining Clwyd Liam was Associate Producer and Capital Development Associate at York Theatre Royal; General Manager and Producer at Sheffield Crucible Theatres; Community Producer on the York Mystery Plays 2012 production; and set up two companies – The Factory Theatre in London and Sprite Productions in Yorkshire. Liam is Chair of Creu Cymru, the development agency for theatres, arts centres and theatre producers in Wales; sits on the Business Advisory Board for the North Wales Growth Deal; the Strategic Advisory Group for the North East Wales Investment Zone; and the Advisory Group for the UK wide Access Scheme, All In.
Julia Fawcett OBE, Chief Executive, The Lowry
Julia is the Chief Executive of The Lowry, one of the largest performance and visual arts centres in the UK. Appointed in June 2002, Julia is responsible for ensuring the artistic and commercial success of the Lowry Centre, which is also a registered charity. Since she joined, visitor numbers have risen steadily – with over 900,000 people passing through the doors each year – making The Lowry one of the most popular visitor attractions in the North West of England. Julia’s commercial experience has allowed The Lowry to operate successfully with only 6% of its income coming from the public sector. The University of Salford conferred an honorary doctorate on Fawcett in 2008 and, in 2010, she received an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List in recognition of her contribution to the arts.
Lilli Geissendorfer, Director, Theatre Green Book
Lilli is Director of Theatre Green Book, responsible for taking it on the next stage of its development as a national resource and network for theatre and performing arts practitioners across the UK. Climate crisis has been a golden thread - from putting on a ‘theatre by bike’ festival at Arcola in 2006, to embedding carbon reporting in Arts Council England funding agreements in 2012, to six years as Director of Jerwood Arts (now Jerwood Foundation) where she funded artist-led projects speaking to and/or about climate change. She was most recently Deputy Director of the Creative Policy and Evidence Centre.
Helen Grassly, Director, Burrell Foley Fischer
Helen is a Director of Burrell Foley Fischer. Her expertise is in delivering the highest quality projects for the arts sector, as well as a specialism in the creative refurbishment of existing buildings. She has a passion for the detailed making of buildings, particularly in sensitive historic contexts. Helen was the director responsible for BFF’s remodelling of the Grade II* Hall for Cornwall, including a new 1,200-seat auditorium. She is currently designing a new theatre for Andover and the remodelling of Malvern Theatres. Helen is leading the restoration and remodelling of the Scala Theatre, a former 1920s cinema, and the connected Grade II listed Corn Exchange in Worcester, to form a new multi-use Arts Centre for the City.
Sophia Griffin, Head of New Work and Artist Development, Birmingham Hippodrome
Sophia is Head of New Work and Artist Development at Birmingham Hippodrome. She leads the new department set up to support West Midlands artists to develop their craft and build community. Previously, Sophia was Head of Community and Talent Development where she worked with the Learning and Participation team on projects with young people. Prior to working at the Hippodrome, Sophia worked across different sectors in project management, and business development and as a freelance facilitator, host and consultant. Sophia is also a writer and is currently commissioned by The Belgrade Theatre and The Bush Theatre. Her experiences navigating the industry as an independent artist directly inform the work she does with and for artists at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Simon Harper, Co-Director, Harper Tackley Consultants
Simon is co-director of Harper Tackley and arts professional with over 40 years of experience in the industry. As a Production Manager and Technical Director he has produced shows in the UK, USA and Europe working as a production manager or technical director for many companies including The Half Moon Theatre, The Almeida and English National Opera. Since 1995 as a Client Representative and Project Director Simon has been involved in some of the UK’s most successful arts construction projects including The Royal Court Theatre in London’s Sloane Square (£28m GBP), The Coliseum in London’s St Martins Lane (£45m GBP) and The Royal Shakespeare Company’s transformation of its Stratford Theatres (£112m GBP). Simon helps clients develop their brief, carry out options appraisals, advises on appointment and procurement processes. As half of Harper Tackley Simon has recently advised the RSC, Mountview Academy, English National Ballet, the Actors Centre and The West Kowloon Cultural District along with several other arts organisations in the process of organisational change or a capital project. Simon works closely with organisations as part of their team delivering their projects. Simon is currently Project Director for the refurbishment and new studio project at the Cambridge Arts Theatre and for Pitlochry Festival Theatre where he has been Project Director for the construction of the new studio theatre and foyer extension. Simon also has extensive experience in developing and delivering temporary and “found space” such as the Gainsborough Studios for the Almeida and the Royal Courts Temporary West End homes. He also advises on staffing structures and operational issues within arts organisations.
Adam Knight, Chief Executive, Blackpool Grand Theatre
Adam is Chief Executive of Blackpool Grand Theatre, winner of the UK Theatre Award for Excellence in Arts Education. Previously, he held senior positions at Crewe Lyceum, ICC Belfast Waterfront & Ulster Hall, Sherman Theatre Cardiff, Edinburgh Playhouse, Grand Opera House Belfast and, for ATG, the Savoy Theatre and Trafalgar Studios in London’s West End. He began his career at Worthing’s Connaught Theatre and as Education Trainee at Chichester Festival Theatre, before training as an actor with the NYMT, NYT and Webber Douglas, and touring the UK in Blood Brothers for Bill Kenwright. His production of Samuel Adamson’s Some Kind of Bliss was nominated for a Whatsonstage Award (Trafalgar Studios and 59E59 Theaters, New York). He is a Trustee of Oxford Playhouse, Gary Clarke Company, Bruiser Theatre Co. NI, Waverley Care (Scotland’s leading HIV Charity) and Chair of Blackpool’s Cultural Strategy Group. He attended the Buckingham Palace Reception for Young Adults at the invitation of Her Majesty, The Queen.
Jemima Levick, Artistic Director, Tron Theatre
Jemima is a theatre and TV director based in Glasgow. In April 2024 she took up post as Artistic Director of the Tron Theatre. She has also served as Artistic Director & CEO of A Play, A Pie and A Pint (2021-2024) Stellar Quines Theatre Company (2016-2021), and as Associate and latterly Artistic Director of Dundee Rep (2009-2016). She has won and been nominated for a number of awards and has directed and produced more than 50 professional theatre productions across Scotland and the UK. For screen she is a regular director on River City for BBC Studios.
Andrew Miller, UK Arts Access Champion, All In, The Arts Council of Wales
Transforming perceptions throughout his 35-year career in the creative industries, Andrew is recognised as one of the UK’s most influential disability advocates with extensive experience of the arts, film and tv sectors. Starting out in broadcasting, Andrew belongs to the first generation of disabled presenters on British television after which he went on to produce and direct BAFTA nominated tv arts documentaries. Later becoming the first wheelchair-user to run a major arts venue at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, he also established the role of UK Government Disability Champion for Culture, co-founded the UK Disability Arts Alliance #WeShallNotBeRemoved and was founding chair of the influential BFI Disability Screen Advisory Group. His current portfolio of roles includes: UK Arts Access Champion for All In - the new national arts access scheme for disabled audiences from the 4 UK Arts councils. He is a member of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority Co-creation Council and the Museums Strategic Disability Network; he is a National Council member of Arts Council England, a trustee of BAFTA and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Andrew is currently placed in The Stage 100 of the most influential people in British theatre.
Jon Morgan, Director, Theatres Trust
Jon joined Theatres Trust in January 2017. He is responsible for leading the work of the Trust, and the development and delivery of the Trust's strategy. With a wealth of experience across the theatre and arts industry, Jon joined Theatre Trust from the Federation of Scottish Theatre (FST) where he had been Director since 2008. Jon's previous roles include Director of Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Executive Producer of Contact Theatre in Manchester and General Manager of TAG, Glasgow with earlier periods at Royal Conservatoire Scotland and Orchard Theatre, Kent.
Dave Moutrey, Theatres Trust Chair and is Director of Culture, Manchester City Council
Dave Moutrey is Director of Culture at Manchester City Council, taking on the role full time in April 2024 having been seconded to the role on a part-time basis since 2018. He is responsible for advising the council on policy and strategy for culture and working closely with the Cultural Leaders Group on joint working and other collaborative initiatives. Until March 2024, he was Director and Chief Executive of HOME a purpose built multi art form venue that opened in May 2015. He conceived and led both the merger of Cornerhouse and Library Theatre Company and the £25m capital project to create HOME which has attracted almost 1m visits per year since opening. Dave was awarded a Doctor of Arts honoris causa by the University of Salford is a Fellow of the RSA, a member of the Chartered Management Institute, and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. He is also an advisor to the British Council and holds a number of non-executive roles on not-for-profit boards.
Karen O’Neill, CEO, HOME Manchester
Karen O’Neill is the current CEO of HOME Manchester, leading one of the north’s largest and dynamic art centres with a diverse programme across theatre, film and visual arts as well an extensive creative outreach and artist development programme. Previously the CEO of the Dukes in Lancaster, Lancashire’s only producing theatre and Lancaster’s independent cinema, leading the organisation on a journey of transformation. Joining at a time at a time of significant change, Karen successfully turned the organisation around. The Dukes is now thriving with a diverse and dynamic programme across film and theatre with increased engagement in communities across the Lancaster district. Karen has also shared her knowledge and skills with other organisations as Chair of Arts Catalyst, a Board member of Theatre Porto and Chair of the Northern Cultural Network. Karen is an arts leader with extensive experience in the theatre sector, in both a commercial and subsidised environment, leading organisations in the middle and large scale. Karen is also a Clore Leadership Fellow and an International Fellow of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at Kennedy Centre in Washington.
Lucy Picardo, Director, Haworth Tompkins
Lucy Picardo is a Director at Haworth Tompkins with over 20 years’ experience designing and delivering buildings within the cultural and performing arts sectors, her portfolio includes the £60m refurbishment to the Grade I, Theatre Royal Drury Lane and the multi-award winning £22m restoration and renewal of the Grade II* Chichester Festival Theatre, for which she was awarded the RIBA Project Architect of the Year. She has worked on transformational projects that have created sustainable spaces for culture and communities, that have remodelled found spaces, significantly increasing visitor numbers, income generation, provided educational and training resources. She is currently leading the Old Vic Theatre Extension, the Hexagon Theatre Studio, the Redevelopment of St George’s Guildhall and the Redevelopment of De La Warr Pavilion.
Douglas Rintoul, Chief Executive / Artistic Director, New Wolsey Theatre
Douglas is a theatre-maker and cultural leader. He studied Drama & Theatre Arts at the University of Birmingham and participated in the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme. Growing up in a working-class background, Douglas's leadership is influenced by his experiences, focusing on accessible and powerful theatre that often highlights the stories of those on the margins. He has directed a diverse array of productions, with his work showcased at major UK venues and internationally. He is currently the Chief Executive and Artistic Director at New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich. His previous roles include leading Queen's Theatre Hornchurch, founding the touring company Transport, and serving as Associate Director at Complicité.
Cllr Hannah Robinson-Smith, Executive Support Member for Culture and Connected Communities, Salford City Council
Hannah has spent her life and career committed to social justice against inequalities. As a teacher and leader in education in a socio-economically challenged area with high levels of deprivation and poverty, she saw keenly the importance of equity of opportunity, cultural understanding, access, and inclusivity for all. Hannah was elected as a Councillor for Cadishead & Lower Irlam in 2021 and has served in the City Mayor’s Cabinet since 2022, currently as Executive Support Member for Culture and Connected Communities. In this role Hannah leads on all things culture, heritage, equalities, sport, and leisure in the City of Salford, and is honoured to hold this important position in our increasingly diverse and changing city. Cultural access, including experiencing and creating, is an imperative part of the human experience that adds so much value to people’s lives; sharing what it means to be human, evoking or expressing a part of yourself, or even changing profoundly in response to what you’ve experienced. In Salford, our Culture and Place Partnership is successfully investing in and driving cultural opportunities across the city and out into the neighbourhoods where people live, work, and enjoy their free time.
Liz Sillett, CEO, Association of British Theatre Technicians
Liz joined the ABTT in May 2024 having previously been at The Old Vic where she was Director of Operations and External Relationships since 2017. With over 25 years of professional experience across the arts sector, working in theatres and music venues, traditional and unconventional buildings, immersive productions, temporary spaces and pop-ups, Liz has a wealth of experience in managing buildings and their operations, encompassing strategic planning, operational management and advisory support in all areas of operations. During her career, Liz has been responsible for setting up and running multiple venues, alongside launching and re-imagining the FOH and F & B offers in venues and stand-alone operations. She worked on a series of capital projects at The Old Vic from initial strategic planning, through the design stages and delivery of the final projects.
Chris Stafford, CEO, Curve
Chris was appointed CEO of Curve in 2015. Since taking up post, Curve’s annual turnover has increased by over £10m and audiences have increased by over 30%. Under Chris’ leadership, Curve has developed a reputation as a leading producing theatre in the UK with Made at Curve co-productions playing to over 1m people a year on national and international tour. Prior to joining Curve, Chris has held leadership and management positions for dreamthinkspeak, Bristol Old Vic and Shakespeare's Globe. Alongside Nikolai Foster, Chris is listed at 18 in The Stage 100 most influential people and partnerships in theatre.
Chris Sudworth, Creative Director, Birmingham Hippodrome
Chris joined Birmingham Hippodrome in 2017. He holds executive responsibility for all creative work produced by Birmingham Hippodrome, overseeing New Musical Theatre and New Work & Artist Development teams, as well as Creative Partnerships, city-wide Festivals activity and Fundraising. He leads on relationships with resident & associate companies and supports main stage programming. Chris was the first Director of The Core at Corby Cube from 2010-2015 - opening and establishing a new venue with young people and communities at its heart; Executive Director of The Old Rep, Birmingham, from 2015-2017; and, prior to that, a freelance director and producer. Chris is Co-Chair of We Don’t Settle and a core partner with More Than a Moment, championing a more equitable West Midlands arts and culture sector.
Michèle Taylor MBE, Director for Change, Ramps on the Moon
Michèle Taylor is Director for Change at Ramps on the Moon, having run her own business as a Disability Equality strategist and trainer since 1992. She has been a key part of the Ramps on the Moon endeavour since its inception, supporting arts organisations to enrich the stories they tell and the ways they tell them by elevating the place of disabled people in the mainstream performing arts. Michèle has been working with cultural and heritage organisations over more than 30 years to embed systemic and structural change to ensure that their practices, policies and premises are open to disabled people. She has been the access consultant on a number of award-winning buildings, and she contributed to the second edition of Theatre Buildings, A Design Guide.
Katie Town, Theatres Trust Vice-Chair and Executive Director, Theatre Royal Wakefield
Katie Town is Executive Director of Theatre Royal Wakefield, a Grade II* listed Frank Matcham theatre in West Yorkshire. She has led the theatre since the end of 2015, taking it through a process of rapid creative and organisational change, including building and opening a new extension. Katie previously worked as General Manager for the National Theatre’s Learning Department. Originally qualifying as a non-practising barrister, Katie decided a career in the arts seemed more interesting, initially working at the Royal Opera House and then in a number of smaller arts organisations, including Candoco Dance Company.
Fiona Wallace, Managing Director, New Vic Theatre
Fiona is Managing Director at Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre. The New Vic is unique - the first purpose-built theatre-in-the-round in Europe and a ground-breaker in the integration of professional theatre-work with an extensive community and education programme. Around 180,000 people visit the New Vic each year making it a key part of the region’s cultural life. Fiona is actively involved in supporting the role that arts and culture play in the regeneration of Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and the wider Staffordshire area. Fiona chairs the local consortium delivering the Arts Council England Creative People and Places programme, Appetite. Previous roles include Head of Commercial Strategy Development for the Peak District National Park Authority and Head of Losehill Hall, the Peak District National Park Authority’s former environmental college.
Sheena Wrigley, Executive Director, Factory International
Sheena Wrigley joined Factory International (formally Manchester International Festival) in 2021. As Executive Director she was the primary link between the City’s capital project team and Factory International during the final build stages and opening of Aviva Studios in October 2023. She has played a critical role in the transformation of the company from biennial festival to year-round organisation. Previous roles have included: Director of the Palace Theatre & Opera House, Manchester (ATG); Chief Executive of West Yorkshire Playhouse (now Leeds Playhouse); Head of Theatres, Arts & Festivals with Bradford Council (leading the Alhambra Theatre, St Georges Concert Hall and the city’s cultural events programme). Originally from Manchester, she returned to city in 2015 as Executive Director of HOME and played a leading role in the successful opening of the city’s last new arts venue.