Paines Plough welcomes new executive director

CLAIRE SIMPSON has been appointed executive director of theatre company Paines Plough, taking over from JODIE GILLIAM, who has been in post since 2022.

Simpson will take up post in August, with LILLI GEISSENDORFER joining the company until then as interim executive director.

Recently relationship manager for theatre at Arts Council England, Simpson has previously held roles including general manager at Belgrade Theatre Coventry, the Gate Theatre and Paines Plough.

Simpson has served as a trustee for the Independent Theatre Council and the theatre company curious directive where she was also chair. She is also a trained audio describer.

Joint artistic directors of Paines Plough, CHARLOTTE BENNETT and KATIE POSNER said: “It’s a joy to welcome Claire into ‘team Paines Plough’, and as we look to the next chapters of this company’s story and continue establishing new roots in the Midlands, we couldn’t have asked for a better candidate to join us in this key strategic role.

“Claire’s passion for new writing, Paines Plough and touring theatre, alongside her vast experience working both in the West Midlands and nationally, brings a unique set of skills that makes her perfectly placed as our newest team member.”

Simpson added: “Working with Katie and Charlotte to realise the artistic and strategic ambitions for the company is hugely exciting, and I’m energised by the prospect of supporting talented writers across the country, while establishing our new base in Coventry.”