The Royal Shakespeare Company announces the appointment of Sir Nick Varney as Trustee and Governor and Baroness Martha Lane-Fox as Governor. All appointments are subject to ratification at the Annual General Meeting.

Sir Nick Varney brings extensive experience in global visitor experiences and large-scale audience engagement. He is best known as the founding Chief Executive of Merlin Entertainments, where he led the company’s transformation into one of the world’s leading location-based entertainment businesses. Under his leadership, Merlin grew to operate internationally renowned attractions, delivering innovative and accessible experiences to millions of visitors worldwide. His expertise in scaling cultural and entertainment organisations will be invaluable as the RSC continues to develop its audience strategy and commercial opportunities both in the UK and internationally.

Baroness Martha Lane-Fox is a highly respected figure in digital innovation, inclusion, and public service. A co-founder of Gov.uk and Lastminute.com, she has transformed how people access government services online and played a pivotal role in shaping the UK’s digital landscape. She currently serves in the House of Lords and has held numerous public appointments, including work focused on improving digital access and skills across the country. Her leadership in championing digital inclusion and leveraging technology for social good will support the RSC’s ambitions to reach broader and more diverse audiences.