Bush Theatre has announced the appointment of Krishnendu Majumdar as its new Chair of Trustees, succeeding Uzma Hasan after her five-year tenure.
Majumdar, an award-winning film and television producer, becomes Chair this month, bringing more than 25 years of creative and governance experience alongside a lifelong passion for theatre.
He was previously Chair of BAFTA, becoming the first person of colour to hold the role in the organisation’s 79-year history.
Krishnendu Majumdar said: ‘I am delighted and honoured to be announced as the new Chair of the Bush Theatre. I’m excited to work with the brilliant board of Trustees and support the dynamic duo of co-CEOs, Artistic Director Taio Lawson and interim Executive Director Angela Wachner, to deliver visionary work. This theatre has spent over fifty years finding writers before the world was ready for them – from Jonathan Harvey and Jack Thorne to Michaela Coel, Benedict Lombe, and Richard Gadd – and giving them the conditions to ask the big questions fearlessly, to push the boundaries of what new work can be. A distinctly local voice with a resonant national impact: that is the Bush I’ve long admired. I have come to take that mission to new heights, and I intend to protect it not carefully, not cautiously, but fiercely.’
Majumdar co-founded Me+You Productions with Richard Yee, producing acclaimed film and television including Close To You starring Elliot Page, and Channel 4 drama Alice & Jack featuring Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson.
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His television credits also include the award-winning I Am anthology series, with I Am Ruth starring Kate Winslet winning multiple awards including two BAFTAs.
During his tenure at BAFTA, Majumdar led the wide-ranging BAFTA 2020 Review, introducing more than 120 changes aimed at tackling inequality and modernising the organisation.
Taio Lawson, Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Bush Theatre, said: ‘With Krish joining, we have an incredible opportunity to build on the strong foundations Uzma set during her five years as Chair. As an industry titan with a passion for innovation and platforming marginalised voices, Krish is a great appointment for the Bush. We are keen to bounce off each other to ensure that new work in this country remains as vibrant and resonant as possible.
Uzma has enabled this theatre to go from strength to strength and guided the executive teams through unprecedented periods of challenge and success. I am so grateful to her for supporting this leadership transition; both Angela and I will miss her sharp mind, brilliant sense of humour, and warm heart. We’re ready to run into this next chapter, alongside Krish and our other fantastic trustees, to keep pushing the boundaries of what theatre can be.’
Neil Darlison, Arts Council England’s Director of Theatre, added: ‘The Bush is a vital part of London’s theatre landscape, and we are delighted to welcome Krishnendu Majumdar as its new Chair. He clearly brings a wealth of leadership experience to the board, and we look forward to working with him and the wider board to support the Bush’s continued success.’
Outgoing Chair Uzma Hasan commented: ‘Chairing the Bush these past five years has been one of the great chapters of my professional life; I arrived in the midst of a pandemic and leave it stronger and more itself than ever before. My utmost thanks go to the extraordinary artists, staff, and trustees who make us who we are and have poured themselves into this building. In Krish, the Bush gains a Chair of rare calibre and ambition – I cannot think of better hands to take the baton. With Taio and Angela leading with such clarity and heart, the Bush is in a moment of real possibility and becoming. And in exactly the right company.’
