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Changes to the Board

We are very sad to say goodbye to Beth Byrne, Cheek by Jowl’s Executive Director from 2011 to 2015 and Trustee from 2017 to 2022, who has recently decided to step down from her role as a Trustee of the Board. We are extremely thankful for Beth’s work and support, and we wish her well in all her projects as CEO of Shoreditch Town Hall and beyond.

We are delighted to welcome back Emma Stenning to the Board. Emma was a Cheek by Jowl Trustee before becoming Soulpepper Theatre Company’s Executive Director in Toronto in 2018. Prior to this, Emma led Bristol Old Vic as Chief Executive for 9 years. She is now back in the UK and working as CEO of Belvoir Castle – and we are very grateful that she has agreed to re-join our Board.

Emma joins Chair Richard Philipps and Trustees Ajay Chowdhury, Catrin Griffiths, Hugh Nineham, Clare O’Brien, Sameer Pabari, Judith Patrickson and Philip Stoltzfus.

Emma Stenning is Chief Executive of Belvoir Castle, a position she has held since December 2021. Previously, she was Executive Director of Soulpepper, Toronto’s largest not-for-profit theatre.  She joined the company in the fall of 2018, taking up her leadership role alongside new Artistic Director Weyni Mengesha.

From 2009 – 2018, Emma was Chief Executive of Bristol Old Vic, leading the organisation in partnership with Artistic Director Tom Morris. Together they delivered the long-awaited £26m refurbishment of the 255-year-old theatre.  Their programme revitalised the organisation’s creative life and public profile; locally, nationally and internationally.

Previously she was Head of Producing for the 2009 Manchester International Festival, where she delivered a number of world premieres including Rufus Wainwright’s opera “Prima Donna” and the London transfer of Damon Albarn’s “Monkey”.

Past roles include Head of Theatre at Arts Council England, London and Cultural Programme Advisor at the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, where she was responsible for the initial feasibility planning for the stadium ceremonies.

From 2002 – 2005 she was Executive Director of BAC, also in partnership with Tom Morris as Artistic Director.  She has worked with Complicite, Oxford Stage Company and the RSC, producing theatre on the London fringe, in the West End, on national and international tour.

Emma was formerly the Deputy Chair of Shakespeare’s Globe, and currently serves on the company’s US Board.  Previous trusteeships include Headlong, Cheek By Jowl, The Bike Shed Theatre and Dartington Hall Trust.

Beth Byrne
Emma Stenning