Clockwise from top left: headshots of Helen Anglim, Heather Davenport, Erica Whyman, Yusuf Subzposh, Neha Idnani

Clockwise from top left: Helen Anglim, Heather Davenport, Erica Whyman, Yusuf Subzposh, Neha Idnani

Photo: Improbable and Matt Whittle

Changing Faces

Improbable announces board shake up

Arts Professional
2 min read

Theatre company Improbable has welcomed ERICA WHYMAN as its new Chair, succeeding NATASHA FREEDMAN, who has led the board for four years.

A freelance consultant, coach and theatremaker, Whyman was formerly Artistic Director of Southwark Playhouse for 12 years from 1998. In 2013, she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company as Deputy Artistic Director and became Acting Artistic Director in 2021.

Last month, she announced her departure as Chair of Theatre 503, a role she held for over a decade.

Joining Whyman on the board as new trustees are HELEN ANGLIM, HEATHER DAVENPORT, NEHA IDNANI and YUSUF SUBZPOSH.

Anglim is currently Director of Conde Nast Commercial Creative and has been a creative strategy lead across media brands and tech companies, including JCDecaux, Verizon Media UK and AOL UK.

Davenport is one of the senior team in the Prime Minister’s Office for Investment. She has previously worked at the Department for International Trade and was Assistant Director for UK Government Investments. 

As Regional Vice President for Asia Eutelsat OneWeb, Idnani specialises in business development and strategy, having previously been Vice President of Bharti Enterprise.

Subzposh is Vice President of Strategy at financial data management platform Arcesium. He has held senior investment banking roles at Drake Star, Jefferies, Nomura and Stephens Inc.

ELLIE CLAUGHTON, Executive Director of Improbable, said: “After four incredible but challenging years, we want to celebrate our outgoing Chair Natasha Freedman… We are hugely excited to bring Erica in at this crucial turning point of the organisation, at the start of a unique journey where we develop a home for Improbable. 

"We are also thrilled to welcome four additional trustees to the board, all of whom have blown us away with their unique skills and their curiosity for Improbable and our journey moving forward."

Commenting on her appointment, Whyman said: "I am honoured to be appointed Chair of a company I love so much and whose impact across our sector has already been so great.

"This next chapter for the company is very exciting as we explore a new home at Bore Place in Kent and new opportunities to share what Improbable know about holding space for regeneration and creativity."