Dame Julie Kenny DBE DL has been appointed Chair of Sheffield Theaters Board

Sheffield Theaters announces Dame Julie Kenny DBE DL as Chair of the Board.

Dame Julie Kenny said: “I am delighted to become Chair of Sheffield Theaters Board. Sheffield Theaters is a force, nationally and locally. A leader in British theatre, renowned for extraordinary work, the theaters are a jewel in the city’s crown and cherished by so many in our region.

I look forward to working with the team of dedicated and passionate staff and administrators as we look to the next exciting chapter; continuing high-quality productions on our stages, extending our warm welcome and sense of belonging to all our communities, and fueling the future through participation and talent development.”

Tom Bird, Chief Executive of Sheffield Theatres, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Dame Julie as Chair of Sheffield Theatres. This wonderful organization deserves an exceptional Chair, and in Julie we found it. She brings with her a perfect combination of: a love for the arts; a passionate commitment to serving the people of South Yorkshire; extensive experience working with local and national authorities; and an unmatched business acumen. Everyone at Sheffield Theaters welcomes her to our organization with warmth and enthusiasm for the future.”

Dame Julie Kenny is a successful multi-award winning entrepreneur from South Yorkshire. Julie’s CBE in 2002 and honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University were awarded in recognition of her contribution to industry and business in the region.

A leading business figure, her award-winning company Pyronix Limited, which designed and developed patented alarm security equipment, was founded from her home in 1986 and sold in 2016 with a turnover of over £28m sterling. Julie is non-executive chairman of Robson Handling Technology Limited and non-executive director of AESSEALS Limited and SBD Group Limited, as well as chairing two national committees dealing with security, resilience and growth for the UK’s defence, security and technology sector Britain. Having been appointed by the Government to serve on many different boards since 1995, Julie has specialized in economic regeneration, business growth, partnerships and people development. He is currently Chair of Maltby Learning Trust, a multi-academic trust comprising seven schools.

Chair of the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, Julie was made a Damehood for her work with heritage in the Queen’s Birthday Honors List in June 2019. Serving as Deputy Lieutenant for South Yorkshire since 2005, Julie has also been High Sheriff of South Yorkshire 2012/13 and in 2023/24 became the second female Master Cutler in 400 years of the Hallamshire Company of Cutlers.

Dame Julie Kenny becomes Chair in July 2024 and joins other Sheffield Theaters Trust board members Arnie Singh, Stephen Betts, Ruth Bourne, Anni Domingo, James Garnett, Cllr Brian Holmshaw, Eleanor Lang, Neil MacDonald, Kirsten Major, Ruth McDonald, Rosie Neave, John Pickering, Cllr Safiya Saeed and Cllr Ann Woolhouse.

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