New boss for Capital Theatres
Fiona Gibson to replace Duncan Hendry
Fiona Gibson, currently CEO of Liverpool’s Everyman and Playhouse Theatres has been announced as the new CEO of Capital Theatres, the charitable trust that runs Edinburgh’s Festival and King’s Theatres and The Studio.
Gibson will take up the post in April 2020, following the retirement of Duncan Hendry, the current CEO, in December 2019.
Fiona Gibson, who will be taking over as CEO at Capital Theatres in April 2020.
She has been interim CEO at the two Liverpool Theatres since November 2018 and was previously at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton. As business director, she worked alongside artistic director Elizabeth Newman, who has recently moved to Pitlochry, to support the planning of the Octagon’s £11.6m capital programme and lead the organisation’s redesign and business resilience program.
The first major project Gibson will be taking on in Edinburgh is the £25m redevelopment of the King’s Theatre. Building works are scheduled to start in September 2021 and last 18 months, in time to re-open for the 2013 EIF.
The 1906-built theatre will be dark for the EIF in 2022, while two seasons of pantomimes, Gang Shows and amateur productions will be relocated to the Festival theatre.
Praising the work carried out by Hendry since he took over the job in 2012, after 14 years in charge of Aberdeen’s major performing venues, Gibson said that it is “an amazing time” to be joining the company.
next level
“Capital Theatres sits at the heart of culture in Scotland,” she said, “and I am privileged to be taking over the reins at such an exciting period of change.
“With two beautiful heritage buildings, along with a stunning Studio, and a programme of work that is the envy of the sector, I have a lot to thank Duncan for.
“He should be rightly proud of his legacy, and I look forward to returning to my Scottish roots, continuing his great work and collaborating with you all to take Capital Theatres to the next level.”
Born and raised in Glasgow, Gibson studied Psychology, Drama and French at Glasgow University before moving to England where she worked in human resources, including 21 years as a managing director of global management company Accenture.
ENDS
