Lyric Hammersmith's Executive Director to Step Down

Today it is officially announced that Jessica Hepburn, the Lyric Hammersmith's Executive Director of nearly ten years, will be leaving the organisation later this year after taking on one final challenge - swimming the English Channel to raise money for the theatre's work for disadvantaged children and young people.

Jessica who first joined the organisation as Head of Development fourteen years ago was appointed as Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive in January 2006. Her notable achievements have included leading the theatre's recent £20m capital redevelopment from inception to completion. During her tenure at the theatre she has also been Vice Chair of the London Theatre Consortium and served for six years as a Board Member for UK Theatre.

Jessica Hepburn said 'I am very grateful to the Lyric's Board for giving me the opportunity to run the theatre when I was relatively young and inexperienced. I hope that over the last decade I have returned their belief in me. In many ways it is a very difficult decision to leave because the Lyric is at such an exciting moment in its history but I believe that Chief Executives of our major cultural buildings shouldn't stay too long and it's the right time to find someone new to lead the next phase of the Lyric's life. I am immensely proud of what I have achieved, especially leading our capital project to a triumphant conclusion, and I leave knowing that my love for the theatre will always be within these walls.'

For the next couple of years Jessica Hepburn intends to focus on her burgeoning writing career having already written an Amazon-bestselling book which was published last year.

But before that she will be taking on one final challenge for the Lyric attempting to swim the English Channel in August to raise money for the theatre's work with disadvantaged children and young people. A special event will be held at the theatre on 29th June to launch the fundraising campaign.

Kevin McGrath, Chair of the Lyric said 'Jessica has been an exceptional Executive Director of the Lyric and has been instrumental in building the theatre's artistic and financial success. She leaves a legacy in the capital redevelopment that has transformed Hammersmith and will be enjoyed by the West London community for decades. It is a remarkable achievement.'

Recruitment for the new Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive with Sean Holmes who intends to remain as the Lyric's Artistic Director will commence within the next few weeks.

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