UK Theatre elects President

KATHY BOURNE, Executive Director of Chichester Festival Theatre, has been elected as the new President of UK Theatre.  

Bourne's three-year term as President will begin in July 2025. STEPHANIE SIRR Chief Executive of Nottingham Playhouse, and JON GILCHRIST, Artistic Director and CEO of Birmingham Hippodrome, will continue as Joint Presidents until she takes over.  

Since joining Chichester Festival Theatre in 2019, Bourne has originated over 30 productions and co-productions and West End transfers. She is also Chair of the Board of Headlong Theatre and a Trustee of Spymonkey.  

“I am hugely honoured to have been elected as President of UK Theatre," she said. 

"Having spent my entire career working in theatres and companies large and small across the UK, in both the commercial and subsidised sectors, I know full well our industry’s enormous value and significance for audiences and theatre-makers. 

"We face many challenges but also many opportunities to support and celebrate the extraordinary work achieved across our industry."

SOLT & UK Theatre Co-CEOs CLAIRE WALKER and HANNAH ESSEX said: “Kathy is a leading figure in our sector, with decades of experience in both commercial and not-for-profit theatre organisations. 

"We are hugely looking forward to working with her to deliver on UK Theatre’s mission to champion theatre and support our members to thrive.” 

KRIS BRYCE, Executive Director of the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, has been re-elected as Vice President with his second three-year term beginning next year. 

Meanwhile, RODDY GAULD, Chief Executive of Bolton Octagon, MARIANNE LOCATORI, Chief Executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal, and MICHAEL OCKWELL, Chief Executive of Mayflower Theatre and Creative Director of MAST, have been elected as new Board Directors and will begin their three-year terms immediately.