Chichester Festival Theatre has announced the appointment of Kathy Bourne, who was the theatre's Associate and Festival Producer from 2006 to 2015 and is currently Executive Producer at Jonathan Church Productions, as its new Executive Director from May, sharing the leadership of the theatre with Artistic Director Daniel Evans.
CFT's Chairman, Sir William Castell, said, "Kathy is a superb theatre producer with extensive experience in both the subsidised and commercial sectors. She dedicated many years to working at CFT bringing outstanding shows such as Gypsy and Young Chekhov to fruition. As a long-time Sussex resident, she and her family are also deeply connected to our local community and I look forward with keen anticipation and confidence in her new partnership with Daniel Evans."
Daniel Evans added, "I couldn't be happier that Kathy is returning to the theatre in this role. Over her previous time working at CFT, she earned the respect and affection of our artists and staff as well as many of our partners in our city and region, and she has myriad admirers in the wider theatre industry. I am so excited to start a new chapter working alongside her."
As well as managing 75 shows during her previous time at Chichester, she was also in charge of productions on tour and was lead producer for the Children's Touring Partnership on tours of Goodnight Mr.Tom, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Swallows and Amazons and Running Wild as well as overseeing many of CFT's transfers into the West End.