Hofesh Shechter Company has announced that Andrew Hochhauser KC will take over as Chair of the Board from 18 March 2026, following the departure of Lord Lemos CMG CBE in July 2025.
A KC at Essex Court Chambers, Hochhauser is a Deputy High Court Judge, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Hon Counsel to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey. His background spans commercial and employment litigation alongside extensive leadership roles within the cultural sector.
His previous positions include Chair of Dance Umbrella, Governor of the Central School of Ballet and Trustee of Ballet Black. He also serves on the boards of the Courtauld Institute of Art, the V&A Foundation, Aurora Orchestra and Orchestra for the Earth.
In accepting the role Andrew Hochhauser said: ‘I am honoured to be appointed as Chair of Hofesh Shechter Company. As the company approaches its 20th anniversary, and embarks on delivering some exciting plans, it remains a fearless organisation – an internationally diverse ensemble creating work that fuses dance, music and film and drives those art forms forward. Through Shechter II and Shechter Moves, it champions emerging artists while creating new experiences and fresh perspectives – demonstrating how dance can bring about meaningful change. Looking ahead, my focus is to help the organisation grow and prosper as an ambitious, vital and artistically uncompromising force, both nationally and across the world.’
Hofesh Shechter welcomed the appointment, saying: ‘I’m delighted to welcome Andrew as Chair, particularly at this time, when we plan towards a significant milestone for the Company. His curiosity, perception and deep passion for the arts, combined with his wideranging experience across cultural and public life, are of such value as we continue to grow our creative ambitions and connect with audiences around the world. I’d also like to express my deepest gratitude to our former Chair Gerard Lemos who has been an exceptional leader during some of our company’s most important and challenging moments. Gerard championed the launch of Shechter II, our biennial young company programme, navigated us through Covid, helped to secure our recovery and go on to deliver some extraordinary projects. His unwavering belief in my artistic vision has meant so much and I’d like to thank him personally for his thoughtful insights, for his dedication, energy and generous expertise.’
Colette Hansford, Executive Director, also celebrated the appointment: ‘We are thrilled that Andrew is joining us as Chair. His breadth of experience across the legal, cultural and education sectors, together with his longstanding commitment to the arts, brings a wide ranging expertise and understanding to guide and ensure our ongoing success. I very much look forward to working with Andrew as we build on our local, national and international work and support the next phase of the Company’s development.’
Lord Lemos stepped down in July 2025 after eight years as Chair, following his appointment as Lord in Waiting (Government Whip).
Hofesh Shechter Company, founded in 2008, is known internationally for its boundary-pushing work, including Uprising, Political Mother, Grand Finale, Double Murder, Theatre of Dreams and numerous collaborations across opera, large-scale outdoor performance, short film and feature cinema.
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