Bell Shakespeare Announces New Chairperson For 2017

The Board of Bell Shakespeare is delighted to announce current Board Member, Anne Loveridge, as the new Chairperson of the Bell Shakespeare Board from 1 January 2017.

Gill Perkins, Bell Shakespeare's General Manager, says that Anne brings over 30 years of financial services experience to the role, having formerly been a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Deputy Chairman of PwC Australia from 2012 - 2015, and currently as a Director of the National Australia Bank (NAB) Board.

"Anne's experience in working with financial and regulatory reporting, risk management, controls and compliance frameworks, as well as her experience on Boards and Committee's makes her an invaluable asset to the future of Bell Shakespeare.

"Since Anne joined the Board in 2014 she has supported the sustainability of Bell Shakespeare through her a significant contribution on both the Audit and Risk and Development Committees, providing advice and guidance in strategic and revenue planning.

"I'm looking forward to working closely with Anne to bring our extensive national programme of activities to a growing number of audiences and donors, and am fortunate to have a committed, dedicated Board to help realise this vision."

In a statement following her appointment Anne said, "I am truly honoured to take on the role of Chairperson of Bell Shakespeare. I believe passionately in the work this Company does in sharing Shakespeare with audiences all across Australia. Bell Shakespeare is vital to this country's artistic cultural landscape and I'm so proud to contribute to that legacy."

Bell Shakespeare is coming to the end of a number of significant milestones. The last three years have seen celebrations of William Shakespeare's birth (450 years) and death (400 years), as well as the Company's own 25th anniversary.

The Board and staff of Bell Shakespeare paid special tribute to outgoing Chairperson Ilana Atlas. Peter Evans, Artistic Director of Bell Shakespeare, said that after 13 years on the Board and six years as Chairman, Ilana has stewarded the Company into an era of future growth.

"Ilana's contribution to Bell Shakespeare is immeasurable. Under her strategic guidance we have programmed successful seasons, secured our first permanent home at Pier 2/3 in Walsh Bay, Sydney, and bade a fitting farewell to Founding Artistic Director, John Bell.

"The future is very bright and we can't thank Ilana enough for her significant support, advice and encouragement during a time of enormous change and consolidation for Bell Shakespeare."

In her announcement to retire from the Bell Shakespeare Board, Ilana said, "I love Bell Shakespeare for so many reasons. However, at its heart, it is the passion, creativity, talent and generosity of the artists, the crews, the employees, the Board, the donors, the corporate supporters, government partners and audiences. Bell Shakespeare is a family and it has been a privilege for me to be part of it. Thank you to you all."

To post a comment, you must register and login.