Hampstead Theatre appoints Irene Dorner as chair

Hampstead Theatre has appointed Irene Dorner as its new chair.

The north London theatre has confirmed that it’s current chair, David Tyler, will step down at the end of this month after eight years, with Dorner taking over from January 2021.

Dorner, who was group managing director of HSBC Holdings until retiring in 2014, is also chair of house-building company Taylor Wimpey and risk consultancy Control Risks. She also sits on the boards of AXA, Rolls Royce and South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership.

She said: "The theatre has been part of my life for several years as I live only a few minutes’ walk from its doors and attend most performances. The opportunity to get involved with a terrific team dedicated to producing new work that is original, entertaining and ambitious is very exciting and a fulfilling way for me to continue my lifelong love of theatre."

Tyler steps down this month having previously extended his tenure to oversee the change of leadership, which saw Roxana Silbert take over as artistic director.