THE PLACE ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

The Place is delighted to announce the appointment of four new trustees to its Board of Governors: Molly Jackson, Professor Susan Orr, Antony Kingston, and James Sanderson. The appointments anticipate both the evolving needs of the organisation and the planned retirement of three long-serving governors over the next year.

Joining the Board on 1 September 2025 for an initial three-year term, our new trustees bring a wealth of expertise in finance, higher education leadership, capital development, and healthcare.

Jane Alexander, Vice-Chair and Chair of the Nominations Committee, says: “It has been a privilege to lead this recruitment process and to welcome such an exceptional group of new trustees to The Place. Molly, Antony, James, and Susan stood out for their professional excellence, their thoughtful perspectives, and their clear passion for the arts. I’m confident they will make a powerful contribution to our Board and to The Place’s continued evolution as a dynamic and inclusive home for dance.”

Governors at The Place are instrumental in guiding the organisation’s vision, ensuring we continue to grow, innovate, and thrive as a home for pioneering dance and creative talent. The collective experience of our new appointees will play a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of The Place and supporting our mission to deliver bold artistic and educational programmes within a sustainable business framework.

Molly Jackson is a Chartered Accountant who has spent most of her career in the creative and cultural sector, initially in commercial publishing and information businesses and then with museum and arts organisations. A common feature across all her roles has been using her financial and business planning skills to support growth, develop and diversify income and secure financial sustainability. She has extensive experience of governance, working with boards as a member of the senior executive team and also as a non-executive. Non-executive roles include two terms as Governor and one as Deputy Chair of the University of Lincoln.

Bringing a wealth of governance experience across the public, commercial, education and charity sectors, Molly joins our Board in September 2025, and will succeed John Stewart as Chair of the Audit Committee in summer 2026.

Professor Susan Orr is an international-recognised scholar and leading voice in creative arts education, with a particular focus on studio-based pedagogy and curriculum innovation. Formerly Deputy Vice Chancellor of Education and Equalities at De Montfort University, she has held senior academic roles at York St John University, Sheffield Hallam, and The Place’s validating partner University of the Arts London (UAL). At UAL, Susan co-led the development of the influential Creative Attributes Framework, which has shaped how creative graduates are supported to develop the skills and mindsets needed for sustainable careers.

As an Advance HE Principal Fellow and National Teaching Fellow, Susan has also advised on national policy through roles with the Office for Students, including on the TEF panel and as lead author of the Blended Learning review. Susan will join our Board of Governors and our Equity, Diversity and Access Committee from September.

Antony Kingston is a seasoned real estate professional with 3 decades of experience in investment, development and urban regeneration. His initial career was in consultancy, but he soon moved client-side with roles at Countryside Properties, Workspace Group PLC and Ballymore Group. He was influential in the delivery of Ballymore’s Royal Wharf development project of 3,400 homes in east London as well as a number of other large and successful development and urban regeneration projects across London and south-east England. Antony now manages BCDH’s UK investment portfolio of commercial properties.

Beyond property, Antony has a long-standing connection to the performing arts - his daughter trained at Tring Park, while his mother-in-law studied at the Royal Ballet School and toured with Sadler’s Wells Ballet. Antony will now join the Board of Governors and the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

James Sanderson is Chief Executive of Sue Ryder, the national palliative care and bereavement support charity. He was previously National Director for Community Health Services, Personalised Care, and Palliative and End of Life Care at NHS England, where he led national initiatives including social prescribing, personal health budgets, and COVID response efforts. With a BA (Hons) in Performing Arts, James is a passionate advocate for the role of creativity in supporting health and wellbeing. James will join our Board of Governors and the Audit Committee this autumn.

Clare Connor, Chief Executive of The Place says:

“The Place has been fortunate to attract outstanding expressions of interest for the vitally important role of trustee. With the Chair, existing Board and on behalf of the organisation, I am thrilled that we are welcoming four outstanding individuals who bring a rich depth of expertise, immense skill and irrepressible passion to The Place and to dance. Molly, Antony, James, and Susan are seasoned leaders in their respective fields, spanning finance, capital development, healthcare, and creative pedagogy in higher education. Beyond their impressive credentials, their lived experience, values, and dedication to equity and inclusion will enrich our Board and help us spearhead our vision for "a world with more dance”

Alan Bishop, Chair of the Board of Governors says: “We are delighted to welcome Molly, Antony, James, and Susan to the Board. Each brings exceptional expertise, insight, and a deep commitment to the value of dance and the arts in society. Their diverse perspectives and impressive experience will be a real asset as we continue to grow The Place’s reach, ambition, and impact. We’re excited to welcome them on board and look forward to working together to shape a vibrant and inspiring future for the organisation.”

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank retiring governor Rosalind Wynn, who is stepping back from the Board this summer, for her seven years of service.