Spencer Phillips, whose career includes senior roles at Ticketmaster and LW Theatres, has been appointed chair of Queen's Theatre Hornchurch's board of trustees as the theatre begins its search for a new chief executive.
Queen's Theatre Hornchurch has named Spencer Phillips as the new chair of its board of trustees. The appointment comes as the producing theatre, which serves outer east London and south Essex, opens recruitment for a new CEO and starts planning for its 75th anniversary in 2028.
Phillips brings more than 20 years of senior leadership to the post. At Andrew Lloyd Webber's LW Theatres he was central to reviving the London Palladium as a home for landmark occasions, bringing back the Royal Command Performances, The Prince's Trust Awards and The Evening Standard Theatre Awards. He also worked across the group's other houses, among them Theatre Royal Drury Lane, His Majesty's Theatre, The Cambridge Theatre and The Adelphi Theatre. Before that he held senior roles at Ticketmaster and The Path Entertainment Group.
He currently chairs Showtown, Blackpool's museum of fun and entertainment, and is Chairman and Executive Board Lead at Blackpool Heritage and Museum Trust. He also sits on the Royal Variety Charity's executive committee.
Phillips said: "This is a theatre with a proud history of making its own work, right at the heart of its community, and a reputation that reaches far and wide. [...] I'm looking forward to working with the board, the leadership team and the wider community to build on the QTH's strengths and secure its future for the next generation of audiences and artists."
Interim co-chair Sonja Lahiff said: "Spencer brings a valuable mix of strategic leadership, governance experience and a genuine passion for the arts and the communities we serve."
The incoming chief executive will work with Phillips, the trustees and the senior team on what the theatre calls a new chapter. Queen's Theatre Hornchurch reports audiences of more than 106,000 a year, with another 30,700 people involved in its community participation programme, and has been named UK Theatre's Most Welcoming Theatre three times.
