New leadership for Forest Forge

New Forest-based theatre company Forest Forge has announced a refreshed leadership team and board members.

LUCY PHILLIPS and JO BILLINGHAM will take over as the company's new co-Artistic Directors, supported for an interim year by consultant and producer SOPHIE FULLERLOVE, who takes on the role of Business Manager.

Phillips, who grew up in the New Forest, has been Forest Forge’s Creative Learning Director for 25 years. Throughout this time, she has directed over 12 professional productions and over 60 youth theatre shows.

Billingham has worked with the company for over 10 years, leading on education and engagement programmes. With Phillips, she is Director of The Outsiders Project, a programme of activities designed to support and promote marginalised artists.

Also newly appointed are three board members: VICTORIA BRIGGS, LIZANNE SMITH-HEAD and MIKE WILSON.

The new Trustees bring with them a range of experience from the worlds of theatre, law and dance.

Briggs is a theatremaker from Salisbury who has held leadership positions at arts organisations, including MAST Mayflower Studios in Southampton, Salisbury Playhouse (now Wiltshire Creative), and London’s Roundhouse.

Senior Producer for ZoieLogic Dance Theatre in Southampton, Smith-Head is a graduate of the University of Winchester with a degree in choreography and dance.

Specialising in property law, Wilson is a solicitor and Head of the Lymington office of Moore Barlow Solicitors.

In a joint statement, Phillips and Billingham said: “We are honoured to be at the helm of Forest Forge. The company has had a huge impact on our creative lives, and we are grateful for the opportunity to take the company forward.

"We have worked hard to develop a plan that propels the company forward and puts theatre back at the heart of the local community."