Newcastle’s Northern Stage has appointed Susan Coffer as Executive Director to work alongside the newly appointed Artistic Director Lorne Campbell who takes up his post at the end of this month. Executive Director and Artistic Director are new posts which had previously been combined in the post of Chief Executive.
Coffer, who has been Acting Executive Director since the departure of Chief Executive Erica Whyman to join the RSC, joined the company in 2006 as Administrative Director.
“Having been part of this company’s development for the past seven years,” she said, “I feel very privileged to have been given this opportunity to jointly lead the organisation with Lorne Campbell. I look forward to us working productively together so that our shared aspirations for Northern Stage will be achieved.”
Lorne Campbell added, “Susan's experience and knowledge of the region, the building and the many complex relationships that allow us to function as an organisation are invaluable assets in meeting the challenges that lie ahead. I am very excited and proud to be working with her on the great adventure that will be the next phase of Northern Stage's history.”
Coffer has previously held senior management positions at Aldeburgh Music and Rambert Dance Company.
The new executive team will work together to deliver the existing autumn season and then Campbell will lead the artistic programme from 2014 onwards.