Backstage

TRUST CHAIR TO STEP DOWN
AFTER 36 YEARS

19 July 2010

Sir Rodney Walker is to step down from his position as Chair of Wakefield Theatre Trust at the end of the year. The announcement comes as he reaches the end of his second consecutive term in office and a total of 36 years with the Trust.

Sir Rodney originally set up the Trust in 1974 as Wakefield Metropolitan Festival Company which, for 8 years, ran the Wakefield Festivals, most notable for their productions of the Wakefield Cycle of Mystery Plays. In the early 1980’s he spearheaded the campaign to purchase and re-open the theatre and, after a period of fundraising, achieved that goal in 1986 when a fully refurbished Wakefield Theatre Royal & Opera House opened its doors to the public once again.

Recent changes in governance requirements now mean that all Trustees have fixed terms of office. Sir Rodney’s current term of office ends this autumn and therefore means that the Trust must find a new Chair.

Sir Rodney will retain his position as Honorary Life President and is looking forward to maintaining contact with the theatre which is, and will remain, very important to him. Sir Rodney will be continuing his local involvements as chair of the Wakefield & District Community Stadium Trust, vice chair of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and a trustee of the National Coal Mining Museum. He will also continue as chair of 2 companies listed on the London Stock Exchange and 4 private companies.