Jon Gilchrist, who has been executive director of HOME in Manchester since 2018, is to be the new artistic director and chief executive of Birmingham Hippodrome.
Glenn Howells, chair of the Hippodrome Theatre Trust, said, “we’re delighted that Jon will lead Birmingham Hippodrome as it embarks on the next chapter of its evolution. COVID has had a profound effect on the organisation but our future plans remain as exciting and ambitious as ever—particularly as we look forward to welcoming the Commonwealth Games to the region.
“Jon brings the experience, creativity, vision and enthusiasm we need to progress the Hippodrome’s future plans and deepen our levels of engagement with the people of our region.”
Gilchrist will join the Hippodrome in late spring 2022. He will also take up a role as joint president of UK Theatre. He is on the boards of the Edge Theatre, Manchester and HighTide Theatre, Suffolk.
Gilchrist commented, “I’ve always admired the Hippodrome as one of the UK’s best theatres. Now, as the team continues the path to recovery from the pandemic, it’s even more important to provide people with some much-needed joy in these challenging times. I can’t wait to get started.”
He replaces Fiona Allan who has become chief executive of Opera Australia.