Leeds Playhouse names next Executive Director

SHAWAB IQBAL will become Leeds Playhouse’s Executive Director in October.

Currently Gate Theatre London’s Executive Director and Chief Executive, Iqbal also sits on Arts Council England’s London Area Council as a Mayor of London appointment, and is a Senior Artistic Associate at the Bush Theatre.

He is also Vice Chair of Tamasha Theatre, Deputy Chair of the London Theatre Consortium and Trustee at Northern Stage.

Leeds Playhouse says Iqbal’s next role with drive the theatre forward as a creative hub for the North, as he works with Executive and Artistic Director JAMES BRINING and the Playhouse's senior management team.

Iqbal says he looks forward to shaping the next chapter of the organisation.

“The theatre has a genuine commitment and track record of being an authentic civic space, underpinned by a bold programme of work both on and off stage, and continues ongoing work of introspection through Plan for Change, specifically looking at the Playhouse’s relationship with Black and global majority artists, people and communities.”