This month’s Wardrobe Theatre Board Meeting was a momentous one as we said goodbye to one Chair and welcomed another:
Naomi Miller has been a Trustee of The Wardrobe Theatre since 2018, becoming co-Chair in 2021 and solo Chair in 2024. The entire team want to thank her for her extraordinary leadership in that time. Her warmth, patience, vision, generosity and expertise have been felt across every level of our charity and by every individual who works for the theatre. Her positivity, passion, boundless support and unrelenting encouragement will be sorely missed but never forgotten. Naomi guided us through some really tough times and years when we thought live theatre might never recover, but after 8 years she leaves The Wardrobe Theatre a stronger, healthier and happier charity than when you started, a fantastic legacy.
“It has been an honour and a joy to be a part of The Wardrobe Theatre these past eight years. I am phenomenally proud of all that The Wardrobe Theatre is: the vibrancy of the programmes; the opportunities it provides to local artists and audiences; our commitment to affordable ticket prices and, in particular, the talent and dedication of our incredible team of staff and trustees. I am thrilled to be handing this very special baton onto Pip, sure in the knowledge that everything that comes next will be amazing!”
This month we are thrilled to welcome our new Chair, Phil Maguire OBE. Phil is an actor, presenter and former BBC broadcast journalist who co-founded the Prison Radio Association, leading the award-winning charity as CEO for almost 20 years before stepping down at the end of 2025. Alongside his work in broadcasting and the arts, Phil has extensive experience in charity leadership, creative partnerships and governance, and is passionate about the role theatre and storytelling can play in building community and connection.
“The Wardrobe Theatre is a really special and much-loved organisation – creatively ambitious, deeply rooted in its community, and consistently punching above its weight. It’s a real honour to be joining as Chair at this point in its journey. I’m looking forward to spending time listening and learning, and to supporting a talented board in adding real value to the work of the brilliant staff team, the artists who are such a vital part of The Wardrobe Theatre family, and the audiences it exists to serve.”