Live Theatre’s new Executive Director appointed

Published: 17 December 2020
Reporter: Peter Lathan

Jacqui Kell

Newcastle’s Live Theatre has announced the appointment of a new Executive Director who, along with the new Artistic Director who will be appointed early next year, will be the organisation’s Joint CEO.

Jacqui Kell, who will take up the post in March 2021, joined Live Theatre as Operations Director in September 2018 after working as Director of Business Strategy and Interim Chief Executive at Arch in Northumberland. Prior to that, she spent ten years at Newcastle City Council in several high-profile roles including management of the European team charged with attracting international and national funds to major projects in the city.

“I'm really privileged and looking forward to taking up this new role,” she said. “Following a difficult year for many sectors, including theatres, we have great plans for 2021 and beyond. Work will start in January to improve our physical space and we have a brilliant creative programme planned, which will continue to present work digitally, but most importantly will see audiences welcomed back into our theatre to enjoy the work on stage. It's been a pleasure to work alongside Jim Beirne and I'm excited about what our outstanding team can continue to create and achieve as well as working with our board, partners, tenants, funders and stakeholders on delivering our future plans.”

“Having worked with Jacqui for over two years,” Jim Beirne, the outgoing CEO, commented, “I am thrilled by the news of her appointment. I have seen first-hand her outstanding leadership skills and I know she will guide her highly creative and talented colleagues, to further successes. I am personally very proud of the achievements of the team at Live Theatre and our reputation.”

Announcing the appointment, Lucy Winskell OBE, Chair of the Board, said, “I am delighted that Jacqui has been appointed to this new role, following a rigorous recruitment process. During her time as Operations Director, she has proven to be extremely commercially minded, developing new partnerships, managing fruitful stakeholder relationships and leading on both the successful Arts Council England capital programme bid and the Culture Recovery Fund application. Live Theatre has a great reputation for breaking new ground and I am confident that Jacqui's vision, expertise and innovative and entrepreneurial approach will make a significant contribution to the long-term sustainability of Live Theatre.”

The deadline for applications for the Artistic Director / Joint CEO post is 10:00 on 18 January 2021. For more information, go to the Live Theatre web site’s Jobs page.

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