NEW VIC APPOINTS PROFESSOR ANDREW HASSELL TO BOARD AS CHAIR DESIGNATE

10th November 2026

The New Vic Theatre has appointed Professor Andrew Hassell to its Board of Trustees as Chair Designate. He will succeed current Chair Bryan Carnes MBE, who will stand down in February 2027 after almost 25 years of service to the theatre.

As the New Vic celebrates its 40th anniversary year, the appointment marks an important moment for the theatre as it looks ahead to the next chapter in its history. Andrew will bring extensive leadership and governance experience, alongside a longstanding connection to the Potteries and a strong belief in the role that arts and culture play in people’s lives.

Formerly, Head of the School of Medicine at Keele University and a consultant rheumatologist based at the Haywood Hospital in Burslem, Andrew has lived and worked in the Potteries since 1992.

His leadership and governance experience includes nine years as a Non-Executive Director at University Hospitals of North Midlands, as well as serving as a Non-Executive Director at the Countess of Chester Hospital and as Chair of the Haywood Foundation.

A longstanding supporter of the New Vic, Andrew is a keen theatregoer and has worked on projects with the theatre’s Borderlines programme. He has a particular appreciation of the New Vic’s relationship with its local communities and the opportunities it creates for people to engage with theatre and the arts.

Andrew Hassell said: “It is a pleasure and a privilege to join the New Vic’s Board as a Trustee and Chair Designate.

“The New Vic is a theatre that continues to demonstrate artistic excellence and as a local resident I have been proud to see the theatre’s successes over many years under Bryan Carnes’ leadership. He will be a very hard act to follow but I am looking forward to working with him and learning from him over the coming months as he continues to lead the theatre in its anniversary year.

“The New Vic has a deep connection to the communities it serves in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire and it is an honour to contribute to the theatre’s future and its ambition to make a positive social impact.”

David Amigoni, Trustee and Chair of the Board Recruitment Committee said: “We are delighted that Andrew has agreed to take up the role of New Vic Chair in the new year. I would also like to pay particular tribute to our current Chair, Bryan Carnes, whose leadership, dedication and support over the years have been invaluable to the New Vic. The theatre owes him an enormous debt of gratitude, and I know his contribution is appreciated by so many people. We look forward to celebrating all that he has done for the theatre as he continues to guide us through the final months of our 40th anniversary season.”

Andrew Hassell will take on the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees in February 2027, succeeding Bryan Carnes.