Bristol Old Vic has made four appointments to its board as it works to “make the organisation stronger” amid tough conditions in the sector.
The oldest continuously working theatre in the English speaking world said the new group of individuals would support its “ambitions” moving forward.
LaToyah McAllister-Jones will take on the role of deputy chair from April. She is currently the executive director of St Pauls Carnival and previously worked as the head of operations at Ujima Radio.
She has experience working across a range of communities and cultural institutions in the city of Bristol, particularly with African Caribbean-led community organisations, and has 20 years’ experience working in the homelessness sector.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Bristol Old Vic team,” she said. “It is somewhere that has played an important role for me and my family over the years and I am excited about the stories being brought to life in that space. I look forward to working with the team to continue to deliver for all our communities in Bristol.”
Beth Byrne, the current creative director of Warwick Arts Centre, is also joining the board. Ms Byrne was previously chief executive of East London’s multi-artform heritage venue, Shoreditch Town Hall, and also executive producer at Southbank Centre.
Timi Oni, a strategic communications professional, and senior lawyer Christopher Sharp, a King’s Counsel whose career has been focused in Bristol and the South West, have also joined the board.
Bristol Old Vic Chair of Trustees Bernard Donaghue said: “We are hugely grateful to these individuals for committing their time to Bristol Old Vic and we welcome them to the team.
“I’d also like to express my deep gratitude to our outgoing board members as they come to the end of their tenure. We thank them for their invaluable contributions and passion for our shared mission to bring creativity to every corner of our city and champion the value of the arts.”
Bristol Old Vic has also expanded its subsidiaries and sub-committees to further support the organisation, it added.
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