Management Committee

    The charity’s trustees are known as the Management Committee and are elected each year at the AGM. All members of the Committee must be familiar with the Charity Commission’s Essential Trustee Guide and must be able to complete a Trustee Eligibility Declaration form before taking office.

    As of 25th March 2026, the trustees are as follows:

    (Expand or collapse to see the duties attached to each role)

    CHAIRMAN – David Allerton
    • Chair member and committee meetings;
    • Call meetings and set meeting agendas;
    • Liaise with Social Secretary to organise annual Chairman’s Garden Party;
    • Facilitator, not director: The Chairman is first among equals and does not hold more power than fellow trustees. Their role is to manage the Committee’s collective decision-making, not dictate outcomes or make decisions alone.
    • Neutral facilitation: In meetings, the Chairman should remain impartial, ensuring all viewpoints are heard and fostering a productive, inclusive culture. They should not ‘lead’ the thoughts of trustees (or members), but rather keep debate flowing and summarise the consensus of the group.
    • Vacating the chair: If a Chairman wishes to engage in a debate about a specific, contentious topic, they should temporarily vacate the chair to allow someone else to moderate, preserving the appearance of impartiality.
    • Passionate, not prejudiced: While neutral in process, the Chairman must not be neutral about the Charity’s objects. They must be dedicated to the cause, but act with integrity, prioritising the Charity’s best interests over personal, political or financial agendas.
    • Independent judgement: The Chairman must ensure that all decisions are based on what is best for the Charity, acting as an ‘objective and critical friend’ to the organisation.
    • Handling personal interests: The Chairman must be impartial in dealing with conflicts. If a decision directly impacts them or their associates, they must declare it and withdraw from that discussion to avoid bias.
    • Unbiased representation: The Chairman must act as an ambassador for the Charity, not as a representative of a particular faction or stakeholder group.
    VICE CHAIR – Brian Burbidge
    • Fulfil chair’s functions in their absence.
    • Act as H&S Officer for the building(s) which includes the following tasks:
      a. Ensure H&S policy is reviewed, updated and published.
      b. Understand HSG 192 safety for charity organisations and note any relevant actions.
      c. Ensure all insurance requirements are met.
      d. To have an awareness of H&SAW Act 1974
      e. First point of contact on H&S and Risk Management within the business.
      f. Jointly responsible with Building Custodian, for carrying out Risk Assessments for the theatre building and barn and to review 2regularly.
      g. Responsible for displaying the H&S ‘Statement of Intent’ is visibly displayed on the notice board and within the Stage Manager Cupboard a copy filed appropriately.
      h. Responsible for ensuring all statutory posters and warning signage are published and displayed.
      i. Sourcing and/or providing access to H&S and Fire Training for volunteers as required and keeping accurate records of training undertaken.
      j. Manage First Aid supplies and organise First Aid and Refresher Training for volunteers as required, keeping accurate records
      k. Ensure a current list of First Aiders are displayed in the theatre near to First Aid supplies.
      l. Oversee all incident and accident reporting and ensure means of reporting are provided.
      m. Ensure PPE, safety and cleaning supplies are available.
      n. Be (or appoint) competent person under the Fire Safety Reform Act 2005)
      o. Facilitate EDLC Safety Inspection
      p. Appoint Fire Marshals if required.
    SECRETARY – Dominic Hinkins

    The Secretary supports the effective governance and administration of the charity, helping to ensure that the committee operates in accordance with the constitution, relevant policies and applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Responsibilities include:

    • Meetings and records: Arrange and administer committee and members’ meetings as required; prepare agendas in consultation with the Chairman; take accurate minutes; maintain a record of decisions and actions; and ensure that minutes and other formal records are properly stored and easily accessible.
    • Charity governance: Support the committee in fulfilling its charity governance responsibilities, drawing attention to relevant constitutional provisions, policies, procedures and governance requirements when necessary.
    • Constitution and policies: Maintain oversight of the charity’s constitution and policies, ensuring that documents are kept up to date, reviewed when appropriate, and brought to the committee for consideration or approval where necessary.
    • Compliance and statutory records: Help ensure that the charity’s records, filings and governance documentation are maintained accurately and kept up to date, liaising with the relevant officers and external bodies as required.
    • Committee decisions and actions: Monitor the recording and follow-up of committee decisions and agreed actions, helping to ensure that the committee’s decisions are implemented and that outstanding matters are brought back to its attention.
    • Membership administration: Support the administration of membership matters, and help ensure that members’ rights and the procedures set out in the constitution are respected.
    • Communication: Liaise with the Chairman and other officers to communicate relevant information to members and the committee, including meeting arrangements, formal notices, social events, decisions and other charity business, via email and social media.
    • Governance advice and continuity: Help the committee understand and follow its agreed procedures, identify potential governance issues, and ensure that important records, decisions and responsibilities are documented so that the charity can operate effectively over time.
    TREASURER – Daniel Barrett

    The Treasurer oversees the charity’s financial affairs, helping to ensure that its funds are properly managed, accurately recorded and used in accordance with its charitable purposes and legal obligations. Responsibilities include:

    • Financial management: Oversee the charity’s finances, maintain accurate financial records, manage payments and receipts, and ensure that bills and other financial obligations are paid promptly.
    • Financial reporting: Prepare regular financial reports for the committee, providing a clear picture of the charity’s financial position, income, expenditure and commitments to support informed decision-making.
    • Accounts and regulatory reporting: Prepare the annual accounts and arrange for any required independent examination or audit. Ensure that the charity’s financial reporting and submissions to the Charity Commission and other relevant bodies are completed accurately and on time.
    • Banking and financial controls: Oversee the charity’s bank accounts and payment arrangements, maintain appropriate financial controls, and help ensure that income and expenditure are properly authorised and documented.
    • Membership finances: Coordinate the collection of membership subscriptions and maintain accurate records of payments received, liaising with the Membership Secretary to maintain the membership register.
    • Operational expenses: Coordinate with the Theatre Manager and other relevant officers to ensure that utility bills, insurance premiums and other routine operating costs are accounted for and paid when due.
    • Insurance and licensing: Oversee the renewal and payment of the charity’s insurance arrangements and relevant licences, including music licensing through PRS for Music, liaising with the appropriate officers to ensure that cover and permissions remain appropriate.
    • Production finances: Monitor production budgets and expenditure in liaison with Production Coordinator, helping to ensure that spending remains within agreed budgets and that significant variances are brought to the committee’s attention.
    • Performing rights: Arrange the payment of production performing-rights fees and support Directors and Publicity Officer in ensuring that the relevant licence conditions are understood and observed.
    • Sales and income records: Ensure that ticket sales and other income, including refreshment, programme and sundry sales where applicable, are accurately recorded and reconciled with the relevant records.
    • Expenses and refunds: Administer the reimbursement of authorised expenses and the processing of ticket refunds in accordance with the charity’s agreed procedures.
    • Financial planning and sustainability: Support the committee in preparing budgets, monitoring cash flow, assessing financial risks and planning for the charity’s longer-term financial sustainability.
    WARDROBE MANAGER – Priscilla Burbidge
    • Act as first point of contact for directors and producers to organise costume for productions and publicity;
    • Manage and maintain the company’s wardrobe stores;
    • Liaise with costume hire services and organise delivery and return of costume in good condition;
    • Oversee manufacture and alteration of costume as required;
    • Manage the borrowing of theatre costumes from stock by members;
    • Organise the laundering of costumes during and after productions and ensure they remain in good state of repair;
    • Organise the issuing of costume to casts, and ensure it is treated with due respect while so issued (i.e., personal hygiene and eating/smoking in costume);
    • Delegate above tasks to production teams and assistants as appropriate.
    BUILDING MANAGER – Doug Sheppard
    • Responsible for all physical aspects of maintaining the fabric and décor of the theatre building, barn and outside area.
    • Be available or delegate appropriately, to allow contractors and inspections of the property.
    • Conducting and/or arranging any checks on utilities e.g. meter readings and reporting to the appropriate authorities, keeping accurate records.
    • Responsible for organising of pest control measures within all areas as above.
    • Manage the premises as main key holder and allocate keys or key codes to approved members of the theatre to allow access for theatre business. This will include keeping accurate records of keys allocated and any training that will be required to be a key holder.
    • Organise and oversee working parties who are drafted in to maintain theatre décor. This may include delegating the overseeing of the working parties as and when necessary.
    • Ordering of materials e.g. timber and skips as and when needed.
    • Source quotes from builders etc. and liaise with the committee on any works and contract out to professionals for repairs as and when needed.
    • Jointly responsible with Vice Chair, for carrying out Risk Assessments for the theatre building and barn and to review regularly.
    • Liaise with Set Coordinator, FoH Manager and Vice Chair to ensure theatre is safe and compliant for volunteers and audiences.
    • Responsible for delegating the maintenance of PAT and to ensure new electricals are tested and existing are maintained in a timely manner. Responsible for keeping accurate records.
    • Check all seating before performances for damage and carry out or delegate repairs if needed.
    • Carry out other minor repairs as and when required.
    • Attend Committee, Business and Extra-Ordinary Meetings as organised by the Chair. Responsible for providing a clear and succinct report of the buildings to the committee.
    PUBLICITY OFFICER – Natasha Lowes
    • Ensure regular output of publicity promoting the Company and specific events and productions on website, radio, newspapers, social media, the marketing mailing list, and other media. 
    • First point of contact for directors and producers on poster and programme design. 
    • Liaise with printers to print posters, leaflets, programmes, and other material. 
    • Sell and organise programme adverts, and maintain records of advertisers. 
    • Invoice advertisers annually and collect or chase for payment. 
    • Organise paid adverts for the theatre and events where appropriate (such as in other organisations’ event programmes and online). 
    • Organise the distribution of leaflets to tourist information centres and other locations. 
    • Manage all front facing publicity, website and social media.
    • Delegate above tasks to publicity team and volunteers as required.
    SOCIAL SECRETARY – Nancy Shackleton
    • Form a social subcommittee and report back on its activities to the Committee.
    • Organise a regular programme of social events for members and their families (including annual summer garden party & Christmas party);
    • Organise club nights (at least monthly) to provide continual opportunities for members to socialise when not taking part in productions. Club nights may take the form of play readings or facilitating coffee or pub meets;
    • Organise member trips, away days, and visits to shows at other theatres. These may be subsidised by the Company;
    • Organise regular play readings (if none organised by members).
    ARCHIVIST – Gail Hinkins
    • Maintain and catalogue the Company’s archives of posters, programmes and publicity material going back 50 years;
    • Acquire copies of any publicity material produced for the Archives;
    • Liaise with the Secretary to maintain paper and digital copies of all member and committee meeting minutes;
    • Organise the digitisation of archive material as appropriate;
    • Maintaining and cataloguing the Company’s library of play scripts.
    YOUNG STAGERS CHAIRMAN – Sheena Liversidge
    • To represent the children and young people who attend our youth drama groups.
    •  Help to provide a total theatrical experience for them in a safe, understanding and encouraging environment. 
    • Championing their interests, offering equal opportunities to all (including those with SEND). 
    • With the team of leaders give young people a full and practical programme of workshops, enabling them to develop/share skills, in acting, stagecraft & theatrical techniques and promote good team working.    
    ORDINARY MEMBER (WITHOUT PORTFOLIO) – Russell Alder, Lucy Mosdell and Adele Simpson
    • Attend committee meetings and vote on matters affecting the company;
    • Act as points of contact for members;
    • Take on any other delegated roles as they arise;
    Non-Committee Roles
      Membership Secretary – Adele Simpson
      • This position is appointed by the Committee to a volunteer (who may or may not be a ‘member without portfolio’ or another member);
      • To receive membership forms, monitor new memberships and reach out to new members within one week of joining. 
      • To liaise with the Treasurer on a regular basis to ensure new members’ subs have been received, and maintain an up to date record of members who are paid up or in arrears
      • To maintain the central membership database including keeping contact details up to date, and provide membership statistics at AGMs and quarterly Business Meetings
      • To offer to be a point of contact if desired
      • To make new members aware of the various WhatsApp and Facebook groups, and invite them to join
      • To direct new members to the company constitution, code of conduct and policies, which are on the website, or provide paper copies if requested
      • To help administrate the Facebook group
      • To proactively contact members about renewing their membership to give a gentle reminder and assist with any concerns
      • To ensure all members have access to at least one form of communication with the company, even if this is by phone
      • To maintain a stock of up to date membership forms and make these available to members
      • To champion the inclusion of newer members in social events and company meetings, including familiarising them with procedure if needed
      • To be aware of current GDPR, data protection and privacy legislation, and the Company’s own privacy policy (on the website)
      • Maintain the lists of Associate, Life and Honorary members.
      Production Coordinator – Russell Alder
      • This position is appointed by the Committee to a volunteer (who may or may not be an ‘officer without portfolio’ or another member);
      • First point of contact for directors & producers to discuss and advise on practical aspects of set building, technical aspects, and props;
      • Organise set building and painting teams and, unless delegated, act as foreman responsible for teams’ risk management and health and safety compliance;
      • Liaise with set building volunteers, set painters, and scenic artists to construct and decorate each set;
      • Liaise with the Treasurer on the ordering of set building materials and budgets for each set;
      • Liaise with each production’s Props Manager on props held in stock, directing them to prop makers, and sources for borrowing or buying props;
      • Hold a key to the Theatre, and open theatre for ‘set break’ following a production’s last night.
      • Keep a written record of everyone assisting with set and prop building and painting for inclusion in production programmes.
      Front of House Manager – Elaine Barrett
      • This position is appointed by the Committee.
      • The Front of House Manager (FOHM) is responsible for all matters relating to members of the public attending performances at the Lion Theatre; making sure all Front of House procedures as defined by the Committee are carried out to ensure the safety, wellbeing and comfort of all audience members as and to enhance their enjoyment of their visit to the theatre.
      • The FOHM role is autonomous but it is expected that there will be liaison with the Committee via the Vice Chairman, and during each performance with the show’s Stage Manager or responsible person back stage.
      • During their time in the role, the FOHM is not permitted to take either acting or backstage roles in any production.
      • The FOHM is responsible for ensuring sufficient properly trained and experienced Front of House volunteers are available to attend every performance at which members of the public will be present. A pool of such volunteers will need to be maintained and if necessary, the FOHM will need to actively recruit volunteers to the pool to ensure that there are sufficient people available for all productions in the theatre calendar at any given time.
      • The FOHM is required to undergo appropriate Health and Safety and First Aid training (provided by the Theatre Company) and ensure that all volunteers are fully aware of all Health and Safety directives as provided by the Theatre Manager. The FOH team at any given performance should include one qualified First Aider.
      • For every show the FOHM should ensure that there is a nominated deputy to take over the FOHM duties in the event of the FOHM being unable to carry out the role.
      • It is not necessary for FOH volunteers to be members of the company. However, for insurance purposes, they must be notified to the Secretary as Associate Members. It will be the responsibility of the FOHM to ensure this and to inform the Secretary if a volunteer no longer wishes to be part of the team.
      • It is expected that the FOHM will become fully conversant with the booking system and liaise with the booking office and/or webmaster regarding the audience numbers for a performance and whether there are any special requirements to be noted.
      • The FOHM is in charge of all matters relating to the audience during a performance and will be expected to make all necessary decisions on, for example, how to deal with disruptive behaviour, ticketing issues, an audience member becoming unwell or having an accident. Any such incidents will need to be reported to the committee as soon as practicable afterwards.
      • The FOHM is responsible for maintaining and monitoring the stock of ice-creams, in conjunction with the Treasurer.
      • During performances, the FOHM is responsible for monitoring and maintaining stocks of consumables such as paper towels, ensuring the continued good order and cleanliness of the auditorium and toilet areas, liaising with the Theatre Manager and Treasurer where required.