Worcester City Council and Scala’s Interim Creative Directors, Hannah Phillips and Kitty Ross are today announcing five founding Trustees for Scala, Worcester’s new arts centre. 

Bringing a wealth of knowledge from across the cultural and local government sector regionally and nationally, the Trustees will support the team in establishing Scala as a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and help drive the programme for when the new centre opens in 2026.

The new Trustees are Ian Archer, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of The Courtyard, who will take on the role of Chair; Anne Brereton who brings a wealth of experience of local government; Gaynor Cheshire former CEO of Birmingham Ormiston Academy; Sipho Eric Ndlovu, a West Midlands based performance artist and current Poet Laureate of the University of Sheffield Social Sciences; and Deborah Rees, Director of Cast, Doncaster’s flagship theatre. The Trustees have close connections to Worcester, and are all based in the local area.

Cllr Lyn Denham, Leader of Worcester City Council said: “We are delighted to announce these amazing leaders as Trustees for the Scala, Worcester’s new arts centre. Collectively, they bring remarkable creative talent and leadership skills. It is a testament to the scale of the Scala project that we can attract such experienced talent. The Trustees are all committed to this exciting new opportunity for our city, and to combining their skills with those of the Interim Creative Directors Hannah Phillips and Kitty Ross.”

Ian Archer, Chair of the Scala Board of Trustees said: “My fellow Trustees and I are thrilled to be able to support the creation of a space for Worcester that promises to be inclusive, diverse and accessible. Worcester deserves a place where people can be creative, be community driven and have a platform for their creativity as well as building and adding to the heritage and current cultural offer in Worcester.”

Hannah Phillips and Kitty Ross, Interim Creative Directors for Scala added their welcome: “Individually our new Trustees each bring knowledge and expertise that will be invaluable as we continue to shape the vision for Scala and deliver the business plan. Collectively they will have a huge impact on our ambitions to deliver a creative destination in Worcester and we look forward to working with them.” 

Currently under construction in Worcester’s city centre, Scala will be a place where people can come together to enjoy, imagine, and cultivate a more creative future for the city. Opening in 2026, Scala will offer live performance, independent film, music, talks, digital experiences, dance, workshops, exhibitions, festivals and special events.

Once the new organisation is established, Scala will be recruiting for more trustees and engaging with a wider range of stakeholders to support the work already underway by the Scala leadership team and the Council.

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