David Hanson steps down as Chair, with Nyasha Daley stepping up as Interim Chair.
The Belgrade Theatre have announced that Chair of the Board David Hanson stepped down on 7 December 2022. Board member Nyasha Daley has stepped up as interim Chair, with recruitment for the permanent position to start in January.
David took up his position in June 2021, and has successfully steered the Belgrade through a time of transition, including the aftermath of the pandemic, the Coventry City of Culture year, and a major restructure of the senior leadership team.
David has been a Director, CEO and Chair of various companies and charities and has worked in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and USA.
David Hanson said: “It has been an honour and absolute pleasure to have been Chair of the Belgrade Theatre. The new leadership team, supported by an exceptional Board, have achieved great things in a very short period of time, culminating in the Belgrade being awarded additional funding by Arts Council England, to further develop our vision and serve the people of Coventry and beyond. It is clear to me that the Belgrade is going to continue to grow, not only as as theatre and community hub, but also in its influence as a values led centre of excellence.
Nyasha Daley is an artist, producer and consultant in the arts, culture and media sectors, exploring themes of identity and belonging. She is partner in full services marketing agency, Varyah Ltd, where she also consults on equality, diversity and inclusion through a communications lens. Nyasha has previously served as Vice-Chair at Warwick Students’ Union; she also served as Vice-Chair for Coventry Pride. Nyasha has been a Belgrade Board member since December 2020 and was appointed to the new role of People & Culture Committee Chair in April 2022; she worked closely with the Belgrade on its successful 2023-2026 Arts Council England NPO application. Nyasha is also one of the 29 prestigious Clore Fellows 2022.
Nyasha Daley said, “I’m incredibly pleased and proud to support the Belgrade leadership in this new role. I’m really invested in the Belgrade; not just as an artist, or as an audience member, but also as a member of the wider team and community. It’s an exciting and critical time for us all; I’m looking forward to see what we achieve together next.”
The current board of trustees include Tyrone Huggins, Thanh Sinden, Colin Bell, Annette Hay, Sheila Bates, Rebecca Warwick, Jon Wilby, Tony Skipper, Alan Pollock and Roger Bailey.
Laura Elliot, Chief Executive of the Belgrade, said: “I am so grateful to David Hanson for his time on the Board. He led the organisation with passion and integrity through a huge transition and we would not be where we are now without him.
“While it is with sadness David is stepping down, I am thrilled that Nyasha Daley is stepping up as interim Chair. Nyasha has been a hugely influential and supportive Trustee over the past year, and her appointment will help us thrive as we move forward into our new future – while giving us time and space to recruit a permanent Chair.”