Royal Exchange makes interim appointment following CEO resignation

The CEO of Curve Theatre in Leicester, CHRIS STAFFORD, will join Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre as part-time interim executive director and co-CEO.

Stafford’s appointment follows the departure of STEPHEN FREEMAN, who resigned last month following the publication of an independent review into a decision to cancel a contentious production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream last year.

Stafford will work on a part-time secondment, three days a week, from Curve, where he has worked alongside artistic director NIKOLAI FOSTER since 2015.

He will join forces with Royal Exchange’s current artistic director and co-CEO, SELINA CARTMELL, who was appointed to her current role last month after six months as creative director under a new leadership structure.

Before joining Curve, Stafford was executive director of dreamthinkspeak, and has also held posts in the education department at Shakespeare’s Globe and as acting head of development at Bristol Old Vic.

He sits on a number of boards, including Stage One, Dance Consortium, and Leicester Business Improvement District. He also co-chairs Art Reach.

Stafford said: “The Royal Exchange is one of the finest theatres in this country and I am delighted to be working with the board, Selina and the team until a new co-CEO is appointed.

“Although I’m not fully stepping away from Curve, I am indebted to Nikolai, Claire and the brilliant team at Curve, who will keep Leicester firing on all cylinders whilst I’m in Manchester.”

Cartmell said she was “delighted” with Stafford’s appointment.

“Chris brings with him a wealth of invaluable experience that I know will greatly benefit our team,” she said.