Meet our new Chief Executive, Becky Atkinson

Our Board of Trustees are pleased to announce the appointment of Becky Atkinson to the role of Chief Executive.

Becky, who was recently our Executive Director, will move into the role of Chief Executive with immediate effect. 

 Councillor Will Simpson, Board member of Kirklees Theatre Trust and Kirklees Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Culture and Greener, said: “I am very pleased with Becky’s appointment. She has worked at the Lawrence Batley Theatre since 2019, playing a crucial leadership role in the team. I am especially pleased that we have been able to appoint homegrown talent. Becky knows our area and communities very well. We at Kirklees Council are looking forward to working with her in the delivery of our incredible plans for culture in Kirklees including the Year of Music and the Cultural Heart in Huddersfield.”

Becky has been on the senior management team at the Lawrence Batley Theatre since 2019, prior to which she spent three years as Company Co-ordinator at Company Chameleon, Manchester's leading touring contemporary dance theatre company.

Her driving force and knowledge of contemporary dance has kept the artform front and centre in our programme. Last year she worked alongside award winning choreographer Gary Clarke to produce an original site-specific piece about the history of the Lawrence Batley Theatre for our grand reopening. Under her watch we have built a brand new space inside the theatre that will be dedicated to community arts, opening in September 2022.

Becky has said: "I am thrilled to have been appointed Chief Executive of the Lawrence Batley Theatre. Since joining the organisation in 2019 we have gone through a global pandemic, major capital redevelopment project and all the challenges of reopening an arts venue in difficult times and there is nothing that this amazing team cannot do. As a proud Huddersfield local, the theatre has been a huge part of my own journey in arts and culture and I am passionate about ensuring the theatre is at the heart of the community, providing world class entertainment and activities for the people of Kirklees.”