Three experienced new recruits have joined the Newcastle Theatre Royal Trust, the charity that runs the famous Grey Street theatre.
It’s a reminder that while the Theatre Royal is a receiving house – and, in the case of the currently resident Miss Saigon, a launchpad – for commercial West End shows, it is an independent arts charity.
Its commitments lie beyond the purely commercial but it gets no regular government or local authority funding. Financial resilience is therefore key to ensuring its long term future.
The new trustees, following an open recruitment campaign, are Carolyn Ramsbotham, Patricia Alexander and Alison Currie.
An announcement by the trust says they bring business, finance and fundraising experience plus an understanding of the creative and charitable sectors including education, accessibility and sustainability.
Theatre Royal chief executive Marianne Locatori said: “Carolyn, Patricia and Alison’s expertise and passion will be invaluable to help shape the future of the theatre and support the successful delivery of our mission and strategy.
“I look forward to us benefiting from their expertise, insight and enthusiasm going forward.”
They join chair Nick Swales, vice chair Ray Mills, Julie Blackie, Lorna Edwards, Dr Ben Fletcher-Watson, Scott Holland, Alison Jones and Andrew Roberts.
Nick Swales, who has had a long career in finance and became chair in 2018, said: “Following a successful recovery from the devastating impact of the covid pandemic, the theatre’s board of trustees and executive team designed a new strategy.
“This includes continuing to provide an exciting and varied programme on stage as well as increasing our social and community impact as a charity.
“Recruiting these new trustees with their individual skill sets to the board as others retire will ensure we have the right balance of knowledge and experience to deliver the next phase of the strategy.”
He added that the trust would continue to recruit, “to ensure that as the charity’s needs evolve, the skills and experience of the trustee membership are appropriate”.
The trust announcement says Carolyn Ramsbotham has a wealth of experience in fundraising and event management, having delivered major cultural events across the North East.
She is also a trustee of the Northumberland National Park Foundation.
Patricia Alexander is “an experienced business leader and non-executive with a background in finance.
“Recently retired from leading Shared Interest, an ethical financial services business, she has worked across a range of social and commercial sectors.”
Alison Currie, a chartered management accountant, has experience across financial services, central government, charities and education.
“In senior leadership roles, she has overseen the rojeccreation of new organisations, major transformations and large-scale projects, from refurbishing heritage buildings to implementing net zero sustainability roadmaps.”
She has a passion for theatre and music and for making the arts more accessible.
The trust says the appointments come at an exciting time for the theatre, coming on the heels of the opening of The Green Room, its new bar and hospitality space, with Miss Saigon starting its UK tour at the venue and with this autumn marking the 10th anniversary of the Project A actor training programme.