The Board of The Everyman Theatre Cheltenham has announced that they are appointing Mark Goucher as their Chief Executive. Goucher (50), who will continue to run his independent production company alongside his duties at the theatre, is an established independent West End and Touring producer of 25 years’ standing. He is on the Board of The Society of London Theatre and The League of Independent Theatre Producers.

Goucher takes up his appointment on 31st March taking over the reins of the theatre’s leadership from Geoffrey Rowe, who is stepping down after eleven highly successful years building up the theatre’s artistic reputation and financial strength.

This appointment is seen by some as a radical move by the theatre’s Board of Directors, signalling its move towards more co-productions with other managements and national companies, as well as an ambition to begin plays in the theatre prior to transferring them to the West End. Other leading producers who have worked in conjunction with regional theatres include Danny Moar in Bath and Peter Wilson in Norwich.
The theatre will continue its strong programme of studio work, community and education work, as well as its support to the local companies with which it works. Goucher acknowledges the support of Arts Council England and Cheltenham Borough Council and will continue to strive to deliver excellence to fulfil the theatre’s obligations to these stakeholders.

Clive Thomas, Chairman of the Board, said: “The trustees and directors of the Everyman are terrifically excited at this important appointment of Mark Goucher as Chief Executive, building on the considerable achievements of Geoffrey Rowe and helping us to move this already excellent regional theatre to a new level with even more national prominence for the quality of its work and contribution to the region and community it serves.”

Mark Goucher said: “Cheltenham is the only theatre I have ever had an interest in running. Gloucestershire is my adopted County and is where I call home. I will embrace this challenge to work with the staff and trustees to continue to present high quality and diverse work for the whole of Gloucestershire. I am fully committed to the subsidised work here both in the community and the studio but would like to see the theatre extend its influence both regionally and nationally. I have a strong artistic vision and will want us to work with high profile directors and writers to deliver a programme of exciting work. I will continue to run my own producing company and hope that my existing relationships with other producers and theatres will propel The Cheltenham Everyman into the premier division of regional theatres.”