New chair for Theatre Royal’s executive board

Sarah Kemp has been appointed the new chair of the executive board at the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.. 

She joins theatre after being vice chair and chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and deputy chair and chair of Audit and Risk Committee at First Light Festival.

 “I am delighted to join Theatre Royal and am greatly looking forward to working with the board and the team.

“It is both a joy and a privilege to be joining Theatre at this time.

“The Theatre is such an amazing success story, combining respect for the history of the splendid building with the verve and imagination of both programming and performances,” said Sarah.

She takes the reins from Roger Quince who was in post for eight years until August of this year.

He joined Theatre Royal’s board soon after the venue lost its previous Arts Council funding and leaves knowing that the theatre has successfully returned to the ACE National Portfolio.

His steady leadership and guidance supported the core staff as they navigated the theatre’s closure due to the pandemic and he completes his tenure knowing Theatre Royal is thriving and in good hands.

 “Theatre Royal will be forever grateful to Roger, who steered us so capably through two tumultuous periods: the death of my predecessor, Karen Simpson, and the impact of the Global Pandemic.

“Roger leaves Theatre Royal in excellent shape, both financially and creatively and that is testament to his leadership.

“Now we begin a new chapter under the guidance of Sarah.

“Sarah brings a wealth of experience from the charitable and creative sectors as well as a deeply-held passion for the arts.

“Sarah is going to help us to achieve great things, so this is really good news for the people of West Suffolk,” said Owen Calvert-Lyons, the Theatre Royal CEO and artistic director.

Sarah brings an array of transferable skills from the world of consumer goods (Unilever plc), retail (Laura Ashley), arts (Royal Opera House) and the charitable sector (Trinity College London).

Her role as chair is to lead the team of trustees to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of Theatre Royal’s operations in accordance with the charity’s strategy.

She is initially appointed for one four-year term but with the prospect of a second term.