Theatre names seven new board members
Birmingham Repertory Theatre has announced the appointment of seven new board members.
Local inequality campaigner Atif Ali, accountant Andrew Chiduku, lawyer Mike Hibbs, CEO Lucy Marcus, environmentalist Victoria Marsom, entrepreneur Brandon Relph and theatre producer Rachel Roussel-Tyson are new additions to the board of trustees.
Raised in Birmingham, Atif Ali campaigns to reduce health inequalities and sits on several boards across the arts and culture, housing and grant-making sector.
He was awarded a British Empire Medal in the 2021 Queens Birthday Honours list for services to the community in Birmingham during Covid-19.
Andrew Chiduku is currently the head of Risk and Assurance at Reall Ltd.
He is a qualified accountant with more than 15 years of experience in audit and risk management and has worked within the private, public and NGO sector in the UK, Africa, and Asia.
Mike Hibbs is a passionate advocate for Birmingham and a well-known employment law partner at Shakespeare Martineau.
He has served on the board of arts charities for many years, is a past chair of Big Brum Theatre in Education Company, and a past board member of Ikon gallery as well as a current board member of DanceXchange.
Lucy Marcus is the CEO of Marcus Venture Consulting.
She brings a strong background in innovation, international business, and cross-sectoral experience, having worked in a number of sectors from software and biotech/medtech to cleantech and government, education and financial services.
Victoria Marsom has lived in Birmingham for over a decade and has more than 20 years of experience in managing large scale campaigns.
She is currently the head of England at Friends of the Earth where she leads campaigns that fight climate and ecological emergencies.
Brandon Relph is the CEO of Studio BE, a disruptive technology and production company based in Brighton.
The 21 year-old co-hosts the popular podcast, The Z-X Spectrum, which focuses on intergenerational views of technology, media and the digital space.
Rachel Roussel-Tyson was raised in Birmingham and studied acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
She currently runs an NHS charity, raising funds for staff and patients, with a particular focus on supporting recovery from the pandemic.
Prior to working for the NHS, she worked in theatre production for over 15 years and was responsible for delivering the international touring portfolio for the National Theatre.
Rachel Thomas, The REP 's executive director, said: “Our new board members bring with them a passion for the city and The REP and a wealth of experience encompassing law, finance, disruptive technology and third sectors.
“These are all vital areas of expertise for the future of The REP, and I really look forward to working with them in the coming weeks and months. ”
The new appointees join existing board members John Hornby, Liz James, Ayub Khan, Adrian Lester, David Meecham, Professor David Roberts and Jan Teo, with Sir Howard Panter as chair.