New Trustees Take to the Stage at Birmingham Hippodrome

Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust Ltd has announced the appointment of three new Trustees. VIDAR HJARDENG MBE, IMANDEEP KAUR and HARJINDER MILLINGTON will all join a volunteer board, chaired by John Crabtree.

Since 1979, the charity has run the UK's successful 1,850-seat Hurst Street theatre which presents the best in touring musicals, drama, world-class ballet and opera, international dance and the world's biggest pantomime. Welcoming on average over 500,000 paid admissions annually, Birmingham Hippodrome claims to be the most popular single theatre in the UK.

Announcing the new appointments, Hippodrome Chair JOHN CRABTREE said: "For nearly 40 years, we have always been extremely proud and privileged to have such a supportive board of Trustees. These three new appointments will enable us to focus even more on our priorities: attracting increased numbers of new audiences, widening access to our community programmes, and engaging even more broadly across the region."

Birmingham Hippodrome Chief Executive & Artistic Director Fiona Allan added: "Vidar has chaired the Hippodrome's Access Forum for several years, bringing his expertise in diversity and disability issues to champion the development of Hippodrome relaxed performances. Immy brings us new networks via the ground-breaking Impact Hub and TEDx Brum that will help the Hippodrome expand our reach and relevance. And Harj's legal expertise, mixed with digital and retail skills, will be extremely useful as we focus on growing a broader audience base."

In addition to the wide-ranging performance programme on its main stage and in the 200-seat Patrick Centre studio, Birmingham Hippodrome also has a thriving learning and community programme, Hippodrome CREATIVE, for which it raises thousands annually from grant-making trusts, corporate and individual supporters for transformational projects. The theatre receives no revenue subsidy but invests its own resources alongside a range of supportive project funders including Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council.

VIDAR HJARDENG said: "Having had the privilege of chairing Birmingham Hippodrome's Access Forum for almost ten years and having seen first-hand the impressive commitment to access for all patrons, I hope I can continue to make a useful contribution in this new role. I look forward to championing this work with the team to ensure that everything that is staged at the Hippodrome can be enjoyed by as broad an audience as possible."

IMMY KAUR said: "I am very excited to be joining the board of the Hippodrome, at a time of great possibility for this institution in driving Birmingham forward as a young, global city, showcasing its vibrancy and potential for innovation."

HARJ MILLINGTON commented: "I am really excited to be joining the Hippodrome board and I hope that I can play my part in helping the theatre to take its amazingly diverse programme to an even wider audience."

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