Pitlochry Festival Theatre has announced that Lorna Jack will become the new Chair of its Board of Trustees from March 2026, succeeding outgoing Chair Crawford Gillies, who steps down on Friday 6 March after eight years on the Board.
Lorna brings extensive non‑executive experience, having served on the Boards of Highlands and Islands Airports, the Scottish Funding Council where she is Deputy Chair, and WBG Group as Chair. She is also Honorary Consul for the Netherlands in Scotland and was Chief Executive of the Law Society of Scotland for 13 years.
As Chair, she will work with the Board and leadership team to guide the theatre into a new chapter, supporting work that engages communities and reaches audiences at home and abroad. She is joined by two newly appointed trustees, Diane Benjamin and Professor Dorothy Miell. Diane, a founding team member of Sonia Friedman Productions and former Executive Director, brings extensive industry insight, while Dorothy, Chair of the Board of Governors at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, contributes deep experience in higher education and the arts.
Lorna Jack said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be taking on the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. This remarkable organisation has always held a special place in Scotland’s cultural landscape, and I’m honoured to support its continued growth and national and international ambition. I’m very mindful that I have big shoes to fill following Crawford Gillies’ outstanding leadership, and I want to pay tribute to the dedication and vision he brought to the role. I’m excited to work alongside my fellow trustees, the executive team, Alan Cumming as Artistic Director, and Pitlochry’s many and varied supporters to help shape the next chapter of this vibrant and much-loved organisation. There will be many challenges ahead in realising our collective ambition and I look forward to playing my part in that.”
Outgoing Chair Crawford Gillies reflected on his tenure, saying: “It has been a privilege to work with so many talented, dedicated people at Pitlochry Festival Theatre over the last 8 years and to have had the tremendous support of our audiences and supporters. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all.
“One indicator of the positive momentum of the theatre is the very high calibre of individuals we are able to attract, and Lorna’s appointment is yet another example of that. As I step down, I wish Lorna, our board, and the entire Pitlochry Festival Theatre team, all the very best for what I am sure will be an exciting future.”
Interim Chief Executive Dougie Cameron added: “On behalf of the whole team, I want to thank Crawford for his leadership and support over the past 8 years, and to wish he and his wife Alison all the very best for the future. Crawford’s legacy at Pitlochry is the strength of the Board he has built, and the platform from which the Theatre is now able to attract trustees of the highest calibre.
“We are delighted to welcome Lorna as our new Chair. She brings a rare depth of experience across Scottish public life, governance and complex institutions, and that experience will be critical as the Theatre looks ahead. We are also pleased to welcome Dorothy and Diane as trustees. Together, they add significant strength, perspective and judgement to the Board as the Theatre enters its 75th year.”
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