Ian Squires has been appointed chair of the board of Leicester theatre Curve, replacing Professor Philip Tasker, who is stepping down after six years.
Squires chaired the board of Birmingham REP for eight years, helping to oversee the theatre’s major redevelopment in 2013. He was also a board member of Birmingham Hippodrome for four years until 2009.
In 2014, he joined the board of the Royal Shakespeare Company and in 2015 became a trustee of Birmingham Royal Ballet and of Belarus Free Theatre—the political theatre company which makes its first appearance at Curve later in 2016.
On accepting the role Squires said, “Curve is one of the major theatrical success stories of our day, forging a reputation as a producer of great musicals and plays, taking shows on tour throughout the country and into the West End and—importantly—commissioning new work.
“It’s an honour to be asked to take the theatre on to the next stage of its development and I look forward to working with the board and Curve’s dynamic young management team under the leadership of Chris Stafford.”
Curve chief executive Chris Stafford said, “Philip has been an outstanding leader of Curve and a driving force in helping steer our theatre to its success over recent years. Everyone is very much looking forward to working with him. Ian has all the experience and passion to help us realise our exciting ambitions for the future and take our terrific theatre to the next phase.”
Squires has had a 42-year career as a journalist and broadcaster. He shared a BAFTA Award with choreographer Gillian Lynne for their television ballet A Simple Man, celebrating the centenary of artist L S Lowry, which won the best arts programme in 1988.