ANDREW SHEPHERD has been appointed Chief Executive of Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. He will take up the role in July.
He replaces MATHEW RUSSELL who, during a seven-year tenure, oversaw the theatre's first capital redevelopment and major fundraising achievements including a significant increase in Arts Council England funding.
With a background in fundraising and independent theatre and film production, Shepherd is currently Executive Director of commercial theatre production company Selladoor Worldwide.
His previous roles include Executive Director of Theatre503, where he oversaw transformation of a new writing venue, the 503Studio at Nine Elms and the launch of a global online writers’ programme.
Shepherd said Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch plays a key role in its local community and work will continue to shape an accessible programme that reaches out to all audiences under his leadership.
"I am particularly excited about a continued focus on the development and support of underrepresented artists and groups. While we are facing unprecedented challenges as an industry, I am fully committed for us to play our part in ensuring space and investment in new stories and storytellers reflecting the society we live in and who we aspire to be," he added.