Campaign group PIPA plans expansion into opera and dance as it hires new chair

Campaign group Parents and Carers in Performing Arts has signalled its intent to expand into opera, music and dance, as it appoints a new chair to its board.

The organisation has hired Sarah Jackson, who led work-life charity Working Families for 24 years.

Jackson, who was awarded an OBE in 2007 for services to quality of life issues, said she shared PIPA’s vision. She has previously worked on initiatives such as Go Home on Time Day.

“We can achieve a performing arts sector that is truly inclusive of its working parents and carers. This is not optional– PIPA has already shown the huge loss to the sector as talented parents and carers find it impossible to combine their careers with their caring responsibilities,” she said.

“We have a huge opportunity to reset our thinking about how the sector works, to the benefit of its organisations and all people who work in it,” she added.

Jackson replaces Amanda Parker as chair.

Co-founder Cassie Raine said: “Sarah’s experience of the challenges facing carers and parents in the workplace is unparalleled, combined with a working knowledge of the needs of employers, which makes her a perfect fit for PIPA as we embark on the next exciting phase of our development, working with dance, music and opera organisations as well as commercial theatre.

She said plans for the move into other areas would be revealed in more detail in the next few months.

PIPA has also appointed Hannah Young, former finance director of Rambert, as treasurer.

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