Two trustees have been reappointed to the board of the Theatres Trust, according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Annie Hampson OBE and Katie Town will continue in their roles at the advisory body for theatres across the UK.

Key points

  • Annie Hampson OBE — spent four decades in senior local government posts and was chief planning officer at the City of London
  • Katie Town — chief executive of Theatre Royal Wakefield, a Grade II listed Frank Matcham theatre in West Yorkshire
  • No pay — trustees of the Theatres Trust receive no remuneration
  • No political activity — both appointees declared none in the past five years

Annie Hampson received an OBE in 2018 for services to planning in London. She chairs the Diocese of London advisory committee, which covers 460 churches, and sits on development and strategic committees and architectural selection panels. She also judges the International Property Awards.

Katie Town has led Theatre Royal Wakefield since 2015. During her time there the organisation has been through what is described as significant creative and organisational transformation, including a major capital development and a new theatre extension. Before that she was general manager of the National Theatre's learning department, and she began her working life as a barrister before moving into the arts with roles at the Royal Opera House and other organisations, among them Candoco Dance Company.

In addition to her executive role, Katie Town chairs Arts Catalyst, a contemporary arts organisation that works with artists and communities, and she co-founded the Local Theatre Touring Alliance, a national network that campaigns for the future of local theatre and touring in the UK.

The appointments were made under the governance code on public appointments, and the process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The code requires candidates to declare significant political activity over the previous five years, including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or standing for election. Both appointees declared none.

Editor's comment

What it means in practice

These are unpaid roles, so nothing changes for taxpayers or for anyone's bills. The trust advises on planning and planning policy affecting theatres, which matters if you live near a venue facing redevelopment or closure, but the practical effect for most people is limited.

  • If you are applying for a public appointment — the same code applies to you: declare any political activity from the past five years.
  • If you care about a local theatre — the trust's planning advice is one of the levers that can shape what happens to the building.