L-R: Headshots of Suzann McLean, Kate Varah and Jonathan Reekie

Photo: L-R: Suzann McLean, Kate Varah and Jonathan Reekie

Changing Faces

Clore Leadership makes new board appointments 

Arts Professional
2 min read

Clore Leadership has announced SUZANN MCLEAN, JONATHAN REEKIE and KATE VARAH as new trustees.

McLean is the Artistic Director of Theatre Peckham and the Founder and Director of the theatre school Young and Talented. An actress and director, she is an Associate Artist at York Theatre Royal, an Associate of Pilot Theatre, and of the young people’s work at Theatre Royal Stratford East. 

Director of Somerset House for over a decade, Reekie was previously Chief Executive at Aldeburgh Music from 1997 to 2014, General Manager at Almeida Theatre and Founder of Almeida Opera. He is a trustee at Arts Foundation and was previously an adviser to the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

Varah has been Executive Director at the National Theatre since 2022. She was previously Executive Director at The Old Vic for 12 years, Business Development Director at Chickenshed Theatre and Solicitor Advocate/Community Investment Manager at Linklaters law firm. She is a trustee of Sheffield Theatres Crucible Trust and a UK Council Member at Creative UK.

MOIRA SINCLAIR, Chair of Clore Leadership and Chief Executive, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, said: “Suzann, Jonathan and Kate bring a wealth of wisdom, insight and experience – from theatre and the performing arts to the wider creative industries – to our vibrant and committed board.

"As leaders themselves, as employers and as champions of new talent, their impressive range of skills will help us remain forward-thinking and agile in how we effectively support leaders from the sector in these increasingly volatile times.”

Reekie said: "I'm delighted to have been asked to join the Clore Leadership Trustee Board. I've hugely admired the work of the programme since its launch and have watched it play a pivotal role in ensuring the sector is equipped to address contemporary challenges and thrive in an environment that is very different to the one I started out in.”   

McLean added: “In these challenging times for the cultural sector, this is such an important time to join the trustees of Clore Leadership. It is crucial to broaden our understanding of leadership and empower creative leaders and make a lasting impact.”