Former Bush Theatre Executive Director Sian Alexander will succeed Jessica Hepburn to lead the Lyric Hammersmith from October alongside its Artistic Director Sean Holmes.
The appointment comes following news earlier this year that Hepburn will step down from her role after nearly a decade at the Lyric Hammersmith to pursue her writing career.
Alexander, who will take up the role from 5 October, joins the theatre with a host of experience working in the arts. Alongside her recent role at the Bush Theatre, she has worked at the Tricycle and Nuffield Theatres, headed up the Theatre in London department at Arts Council England, is Chair of Trustees for Frantic Assembly and a board member for environmental organisation Julie’s Bicycle and the Gate Theatre.
Speaking about the appointment, Holmes described himself as “delighted”, commenting: “2015 has been monumental for the Lyric with the reopening of the building following its £20million capital development and the coming years will be a very exciting time. I look forward to working with Sian as we take the Lyric on into its next chapter.”
The theatre’s future Executive Director said: “The Lyric is my local theatre and I’ve been a huge fan of its work for years. It is an honour now to lead the theatre alongside Sean Holmes and to work together to realise the fantastic potential of the Lyric’s new spaces for artists, audiences and young people.”
Before Alexander’s predecessor Hepburn leaves the Lyric Hammersmith she will undertake one final – and particularly exciting – act as Executive Director when she swims the English Channel to raise money for the theatre’s work with disadvantaged children.
You can sponsor Hepburn’s admirable efforts by visiting her JustGiving page.