Liverpool’s Royal Court announces new Chair of Board of Trustees
We are delighted to announce Chris Pavlou as the new Chair of our Board of Trustees.
Chris Pavlou is a partner and employment law specialist at Excello Law. He has a long-standing interest in theatre and film, having trained in acting in New York and been involved in various productions from films, theatre and commercials.
He succeeds former Vice Chancellor of LJMU Professor Nigel Weatherill. Nigel had been chair since October 2018 and led the organisation through a period of steady growth and renewal of the building. He was a strong presence throughout the theatre’s response to Covid-19 and his drive and experience had a significant impact on the governance of the organisation.
Nigel Weatherill said: “The Royal Court Theatre is on a very exciting journey. It serves the people of Liverpool and the wider City Region. It engages with all ages providing entertainment, fun and a unique theatre experience. It has been a great pleasure to have been a part of the journey. Its future plans are exciting and I’m certain the Theatre will continue to excite and thrill its audiences. I would like to wish Chris and the rest of the board the best of luck and all my good wishes for the future.”
Chris Pavlou takes over at an exciting time for theatre, following a revamp of the board of trustees earlier this year. Existing trustees Maurice Bessman, Jude Bird, and Joanna Hargreaves have been joined by: writer Dr Laurence Clark, accountant Jackie Fisher, Riverside MP Kim Johnson, business consultant Jane Eme Power and Head of Liverpool Film Office Lynn Saunders.
Chris is keen to get started: “I have always had an interest in theatre and Liverpool’s Royal Court is an exciting organisation to be a part of. It is quite a shift from treading the boards to joining the board, but I am delighted to be heading up such a talented and invested group of trustees as their Chair. Nigel has led the board with great wisdom and vigour for the last four years and will be a tough act to follow, but I am looking forward to rising to the challenge.”
Gillian Miller, Chief Executive of Liverpool’s Royal Court said: ‘We are delighted to announce Chris Pavlou as our new Chair. Nigel was a fantastic lead for the organisation and helped us achieve so much in a short time. I’m sure Chris will continue to drive the positive momentum that’s built up over Nigel’s time as Chair and the team are all keen to work with him. Who knows, we might even cast Chris in one of our future productions too!’