Theatr Clwyd’s Executive Director Liam Evans-Ford has been announced as the new Chair of Welsh theatre and arts centre development agency Creu Cymru.
Having joined Theatr Clwyd as Executive Director in 2016, Liam Evans-Ford has helped to enable Theatr Clwyd to increase its annual turnover from £5 million to £7 million, secure over £9 million towards an essential capital redevelopment, and negotiated new governance arrangements outside of local authority ownership.
Theatr Clwyd is Wales’ biggest producing theatre. Since it was formed in 1976 Theatr Clwyd has created exceptional theatre from its home in Flintshire, North Wales. It was recently announced that the theatre was named as The Stage’s Regional Theatre of the Year. Recent successes include co-producing Home, I’m Darling with the National Theatre, which won Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards and was nominated in five categories, the UK Theatre Award-winning musical The Assassination of Katie Hopkins, the site-specific, immersive Great Gatsby and the Menier Chocolate Factory co-production of Orpheus Descending.
Talking about his new role, Liam Evans-Ford said: “It is a great honour take on chair responsibilities at Creu Cymru during its 20th anniversary year. Creu Cymru has been a vital part of representing the theatres and arts centres in Wales, and as the sector emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic, will become increasingly important to help offer a unified voice for the wider theatre sector in Wales and its prominence within the UK. As Creu Cymru grows into this role it could prove transformational for theatres, makers and communities in Wales.”
Creu Cymru works to support venues in the heart of communities across Wales. Their members represent Wales’ professionally run venues. In 2020 Creu Cymru has played a vital role in supporting Welsh arts organisations. Successes have included regular advocacy meetings with Welsh Government discussing reopening and sector support, the creation of ‘Llaw/Hand’, a new fund supporting organisations impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic, a bilingual toolkit to support audience communication as well as vital networking and training programmes about artistic planning, campaigning, marketing, wellbeing and participation.
Louise Miles-Payne, Director of Creu Cymru said, “I’m thrilled that Liam is taking on the role of Chair of Creu Cymru. He is a great supporter of Creu Cymru and passionate about enabling our organisation to reach its full potential.”