Tyneside Cinema names new chair and board as it looks to the future
Tyneside Cinema is preparing for its next chapter with the appointment of a new chair and a refreshed board of trustees. The changes come as the Newcastle cultural landmark approaches its 90th anniversary in 2027 – and suggest a shift in focus for the future.
The cinema’s new chair is Steph Edusei, CEO of St Oswald’s Hospice and a familiar face across the region’s public and voluntary sectors. She joins Tyneside with a remit to strengthen its charitable mission and help the organisation think bigger about its role in the North East’s creative life.
“Tyneside Cinema is a key institution in our city and holds a special place in people's hearts,” she says. “Joining at such an exciting time for the creative industries in the North East is wonderful, and I look forward to supporting access to great films and inspiring careers to more and different communities over the coming years.”
The new board also reflects a deliberate effort to widen the cinema’s reach and relevance, with a female-majority team bringing experience from film and TV, business, the arts and local government.
Trustees include Lindsey Adams, founder and creative lead of Daily Madness; Deborah Evans, head of business transformation at Advance Northumberland; Emma Lawson, TV executive and commissioning editor at BBC Comedy; Erinn Roocroft, senior TV production executive at Apple TV; Iain Watson OBE, visiting professor at Newcastle University and cultural consultant; and returning board member Nicola Short.
A full list and details of all trustees are listed on the Tyneside Cinema website.
There’s also a nod to history. While the cinema is often linked to Dixon Scott, the new team is keen to highlight the role of his sister, Marie Scott, who identified the building and helped bring the cinema to life – bringing what they describe as “the woman behind the curtain” into focus.
“What makes this moment so powerful is that it’s not just about governance, it’s about vision,” says Nic Greenan, the cinema’s CEO.
“As Tyneside turns 90 in 2027, we’re looking ahead. This new board is a cracking team, bringing knowledge, networks, and above all, deep passion for the cinema and our region.
“Together, we’re laying the groundwork for a future where Tyneside is a space for the next generation of creative talent.”
The cinema also thanked outgoing chair Jim Bierne and previous trustees for their work in steering it through significant recent challenges – and setting the stage for what comes next.