Today we’re saying a huge thank you to Kate Denby, Northern Stage’s Executive Director and Joint CEO, for her contribution to Northern Stage over the past nine years as she moves on to become Executive Director of Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre this Autumn.
Since joining Northern Stage in 2015, Kate has been integral in delivering transformational growth in audiences and earned income. Under her leadership the company expanded the produced and visiting programme, increased audiences and box office income by 40%, and introduced acclaimed programmes with young people, artists and communities.
Kate’s commitment to Northern Stage’s values of care, integrity and inclusion alongside her tenacious leadership have steered Northern Stage through the Covid-19 pandemic allowing us to continue to engage with our local community even when the doors to the theatre were closed.
Serious about collaboration, Kate has been chair of Newcastle Gateshead Cultural Venues partnership, sits on the steering group for Newcastle’s NOVUM Festival and after five years has just stepped down as chair of trustees for Freedom Festival in Hull.
Kate will remain in post at Northern Stage over the coming months to support the transition to her successor. Work is underway to recruit an Interim Executive Director/Joint CEO who will work with Natalie Ibu (Northern Stage’s Artistic Director and Joint CEO), to deliver Northern Stage’s ambitious goals for the coming months. Details on recruitment for a long-term replacement for Kate will be announced in the summer.
Photo credit: Von Fox Promotions
Kate said: “Leading Northern Stage, my home theatre, for the last 9 years has been an honour. That the theatre is known to artists and audiences as one of the friendliest and most welcoming venues in the UK is a testament to the passionate and talented people who work here. I’m incredibly proud of what the team have achieved at Northern Stage – making world-class theatre here in Newcastle and delivering innovative programmes in communities and with young people. I’m grateful for the support of our trustees, stakeholders, partners and staff, and in particular my co-CEOs Natalie Ibu and Lorne Campbell, who have been brilliant partners. I look forward to returning to Northern Stage often as an audience member.”
Andrew Buckley, Northern Stage’s Chair of Trustees said: “Kate Denby as Executive Director has led Northern Stage through one of the toughest periods in the organisation’s and the sector’s history – most recently seeing audiences continue to return in great numbers to Northern Stage after the pandemic, in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. Her talent and vision have enabled us to build and plan for a sustainable future for this great charity and on behalf of the trustees and staff I’d like to thank her for her continued tireless dedication as she completes her tenure at Northern Stage this Autumn. We wish her every success for the future and share Kate’s excitement for her new role as Executive Director of Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre. Newcastle’s loss is absolutely Glasgow’s gain.”
You can read the full announcement from Citizens Theatre here.