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Title Business Development Director for the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) and Chief Executive at Richmond Theatre

How long in post? 6 years, but only 4 with Richmond Theatre

What does your organisation do? ATG is the UK?s second largest theatre
group, with a total of 21 venues, and one of Britain?s foremost theatre producers. Richmond Theatre is a presenting theatre which offers a diverse programme of touring productions.

What does your job involve?
? For ATG, I oversee regional theatre acquisitions with the Executive Director.
? At Richmond, I oversee the smooth running of the theatre, including scheduling
productions in collaboration with ATG?s Programming Department, managing staff,
reporting to Richmond Theatre Trust, and engendering community and business support.

Who did you used to work for? I was Acting Deputy Director of Performing Arts at the South Bank Centre, Deputy Drama Director and Drama Officer at the Arts Council of England, Administrator of Women?s Theatre Group (now The Sphinx Theatre Company) and Perspectives Theatre Company.

What do you enjoy most about your role?
Dealing with strategic issues and policy development one minute and the vagaries of an old building the next. Setting financial targets and exceeding them.

What do you find most difficult in your role?
Convincing policy makers that Richmond Theatre and the arts generally are an integral part of our existence and the local fabric of life.

What is your career ambition?
To continue working in the arts.

Who has influenced your career to date the most and why?
? My partner, who has been a great source of advice and support ever since he suggested I should think about working in the arts rather than following a career in education.
? Jean Bullwinkle, former Deputy Drama Director of ACE, whose qualities are
too numerous to mention here and who taught me about keeping your eye on
the big picture whilst making sure the detail is attended to meticulously.

If you could have done any job, what would it be?
Perhaps the travel industry, or the Foreign Office.

Your wishes for the future of the arts?
? That the arts are recognised as an important and integral part of a healthy, forward-looking society, and are supported accordingly.
? That resources are made available to refurbish national architectural treasures such as
Richmond Theatre to a standard expected by a modern audience.
? That through our work we attract and enthuse young people about the arts and all that they have to offer.