Grossman steps down as Chair of actors’ charity

LOYD GROSSMAN will depart as Chair of the Actors' Benevolent Fund due to “other commitments”.

ABF has appointed existing Trustees, the performer and author HANNAH WHITTINGHAM and the actor ALEX MACQUEEN, as new co-Chairs.

A noted broadcaster, author, and cultural campaigner, Grossman was selected as Chair in March, shortly after a new board was formed following a turbulent few years for the charity.

Grossman, who is also Chairman of The Royal Parks, President of the Arts Society, and patron of the Association for Heritage Interpretation, said of the decision to depart: “The Actors Benevolent Fund needs and deserves someone able to devote a significant amount of time as Chair, and I regrettably realised my existing commitments would not allow that.

"The charity does great work; they will continue to do so, and I wish them the very best.”

ABF, which has around £40m in assets and operates hardship funds to support actors and stage managers in England and Wales, had been embroiled in a prolonged leadership row since 2022, when a group of 10 trustees, led by former ABF President for 32 years Dame Penelope Keith, was ousted from the Board.

In May, alleged electoral fraud at the charity led to the launch of a police investigation. The Charity Commission has now closed its case against the organisation, concluding that it is satisfied that trustees were appointed via a valid poll.

In a statement, ABF said: “Loyd advised us that he would not have sufficient time needed to dedicate to the charity, in light of other commitments. We have been delighted to appoint experienced trustees Hannah Whittingham and Alex Macqueen as our new co-chairs at a pivotal time in the charity’s history. 

“After a challenging two years, we are pleased that the Charity Commission has announced it has closed its regulatory compliance case into the charity and thrilled that the King is confirmed as our patron.