The Belgrade Theatre has announced it has appointed a new Chairman of the Board. David Hanson will take over the role later this year, taking over from Stewart Ferguson who has served as Chairman since 2012. Hanson is joined by Alan Pollock as Vice Chair.
David Hanson has had a varied career in the arts and education industry. Having been the Director and CEO of various companies and charities, he now provides consultancy supports to SMEs and charities. Hanson founded the iTrust education charity for children in need and is STEM Chairman of the British International Education Association. Over the course of his career, his work has taken him to Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the USA.
David Hanson said: “I am delighted and proud to be the new Chairman of The Belgrade. The Belgrade is at the centre of Coventry City as a building and as its cultural hub. It is a nationally important theatre and production centre. It also does a huge amount of work across the diverse communities of this wonderful City and with young people and its central role in Coventry’s 2021 City of Culture will help to develop this work further and creating a lasting legacy for the region and beyond.
“At its heart The Belgrade is about Making Life Better. It is about our identity, creativity and diversity. We have a proud history and many new stories to tell. These are exciting times for the City and the role of its theatre has never been more important.”
Joining Hanson is Alan Pollock, a Coventry-based playwright who’s hugely acclaimed play One Night in November is the most successful new play ever produced at the Belgrade. Pollock is currently a Trustee on the Board and has been Chair of the Theatre’s Communications Committee, and will now take on the new role of Vice Chair.
Other trustees joining the Board at this time are Nyasha Pitt, Tyrone Huggins, Thanh Sinden and Colin Bell.
