Capital Theatres announced today that their Chief Executive, Duncan Hendry, will step down in June 2019 after seven years in the role.
Professor Dame Joan Stringer, Chair of Capital Theatres’ Board, acknowledged Duncan’s significant role in transforming the fortunes of the charity that runs the Festival and King’s Theatres and The Studio in Edinburgh saying:
“When Duncan joined what was then Festival City Theatres Trust in January 2012, it was a very different picture from where we are now. Then, the organisation had a substantial financial deficit, and had not long been through the painful process of staff redundancies resulting in a reduction of 25% of its full-time, permanent staff. Seven years on, under Duncan’s stewardship and its new name of Capital Theatres, the organisation’s fortunes have been reversed with the deficit long cleared, surpluses recorded for the past seven years and the long overdue redevelopment of the King’s Theatre at last underway.
“The Board gives its warmest thanks to Duncan for building an organisation back to where it belongs, as a beacon of excellence for the performing arts in Scotland. In addition to his considerable role as Chief Executive of Capital Theatres, Duncan has been a formidable ambassador for our nation’s cultural heritage working within numerous consortia to promote collaboration and the value of partnerships in reaching shared financial and artistic objectives.“
Duncan Hendry commented: “It has been a privilege to lead the Trust over the last seven years and it will be a wrench to step down from one of the best jobs in UK theatre. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the hugely talented and committed Board and staff at the Trust through what has been a very successful few years for the organisation. However, after over thirty years working in the performing arts at a senior level it’s now time to seek out new challenges. I hope to take on some non-executive Board positions and I will stay involved in the fundraising efforts for the redevelopment of the King’s Theatre.”
Mr Hendry was Director of the Aberdeen Alternative Festival from 1988 to 1998 and in charge of Aberdeen’s major performing venues from 1998 to 2012. He was the first Chief Executive of Aberdeen Performing Arts when it was established in 2004 and led the redevelopment of His Majesty’s Theatre in 2005. He was appointed Chief Executive of Festival City Theatres Trust in January 2012. The Trust was renamed Capital Theatres in March 2018.
The search for a new Chief Executive will start shortly.
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