Paines Plough has announced the appointment of Claire Simpson as its new Executive Director. She will officially take up the role in August 2025.
Until then, Lilli Geissendorfer will serve as Interim Executive Director, following the departure of Jodie Gilliam, who has held the position since 2022.
Claire Simpson brings nearly two decades of experience in the arts, most recently serving as Relationship Manager for Theatre at Arts Council England.
Her previous roles include General Manager at Belgrade Theatre Coventry, the Gate Theatre, and Paines Plough itself—marking a return to familiar ground in this new leadership role.
Claire has also served as a trustee for the Independent Theatre Council and chaired the board of theatre company curious directive.
A passionate advocate for accessibility in theatre, Claire is a trained audio describer with credits at the Bridge Theatre, Gielgud Theatre, and Wales Millennium Centre.
Claire Simpson said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to be taking up the post of Executive Director for Paines Plough. Having first worked for the company 15 years ago, it feels like coming home. Working with Katie and Charlotte to realise the artistic and strategic ambitions for the company is hugely exciting, and I’m energised by the prospect of supporting talented writers across the country, while establishing our new base in Coventry.”
Joint Artistic Directors Charlotte Bennett and Katie Posner added:
“It’s a joy to welcome Claire into Team Paines Plough, and as we look to the next chapters of this company’s story and continue establishing new roots in the Midlands, we couldn’t have asked for a better candidate to join us in this key strategic role. Claire’s passion for new writing, Paines Plough and touring theatre, alongside her vast experience working both in the West Midlands and nationally, brings a unique set of skills that makes her perfectly placed as our newest team member.”
The company’s 2025 programme includes two major new commissions set to tour the UK.
Karis Kelly’s Consumed, a dark comedy exploring family dynamics and national boundaries, will preview at Belgrade Theatre (25–26 July), followed by a run at Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre and an autumn tour.
Ed Edwards’ Ordinary Decent Criminal, starring political comedian Mark Thomas, examines the 1990s prison system and its modern-day implications. It previews at Live Theatre, Newcastle (23–26 July), before heading to Summerhall in August and then on tour.
More information can be found here.
