Red Ladder theatre company names new board members

Red Ladder theatre company has welcomed a cohort of eight new trustees.

The new board members include artistic director and joint chief executive at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, PAUL ROBINSON, who was previously a staff director at the National Theatre and artistic director at Theatre503.

Also joining the board are DAWN CAMERON, who runs an evaluation business for the arts, creative and heritage sectors; CORALIE DATTA, a community development worker at arts and social change charity Space2 and DEBORAH KELLY, chief executive of Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation.

Rounding out the appointees are a backstage training programme manager for Leeds City College, PAUL GRAHAM-BELL; actor, writer and creative director of Leeds-based Rebel Roots Theatre Company, TYLER PICKLES; National Highways category group lead, MARTIN PLOCK; and the playwright and screenwriter, RICHARD D RHODES.

FIONA GELL, co-chair of the board, said: “We started the board recruitment process last year. We put a lot of thought and effort into the recruitment pack to make it as welcoming as possible. We wanted anyone, no matter what their lived experience was, to feel that they could apply and that we would give each applicant equal consideration, which we did.

“We were so lucky with the candidates who came forward – they bring great talent, so much experience and a real passion for the work that Red Ladder does. It’s a very exciting time for the company.”

Fellow co-chair, DICK BONHAM, added, “As we look towards the future, it’s great to know that there’s been an injection of new energy that will help us in our quest to reach new audiences with entertaining and thought-provoking theatre.

“Their experiences and expertise will bring invaluable new resources that will help the company thrive, even in these tricky times.”