Amy Belson steps down as Executive Director of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre to become CEO of the Luton Cultural Trust
Executive Director and co-CEO Amy Belson will leave the Lyric in May 2026 to take up the position of CEO of the Luton Cultural Trust.
Since joining the Lyric in 2018 as Director of Communications and Sales, Amy became Executive Director in 2021 and was additionally named co-CEO in 2024. Alongside Artistic Director and co-CEO Rachel O’Riordan, Amy has overseen major productions in the Lyric’s historic Frank Matcham Main House, such as Iphigenia in Splott, Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Schools Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, FANGIRLS and Sing Street. Off-stage the Lyric has continued to serve young people across West London, including the award-winning Cross The Line schools tour presented in collaboration with Hammersmith & Fulham’s GVEU and the inaugural School Arts Week.
Lorraine Heggessey, Chair of the Lyric Board, said: “Amy has made an incredible contribution to the Lyric over the last 8 years. It has been a pleasure to work with such a driven, passionate theatre professional and to see her thrive as Co-CEO in a strong partnership with Rachel O’Riordan. Her commitment to making the creative arts accessible to all sections of the community has helped ensure the Lyric remains at the heart of West London with sold out shows on our Main Stage and award-winning work with young people. On behalf of the Board, I would like to wish her every success in her new role at the Luton Cultural Trust. She will be hugely missed by all of us at the Lyric.”
Rachel O’Riordan, Artistic Director, said: “Since Amy became Executive Director in 2021, the Lyric has been on an incredible journey: a period that saw us come out of the pandemic to sold out shows and West End transfers, a strengthening of our work with emerging artists and young people, deeper connections with our local community and stakeholders and a 130th birthday year that celebrated our legacy as the creative heart of Hammersmith. Amy is a leader with initiative, courage and flair. She’s an exceptional partner who shows creativity, compassion and determination, and she will be sorely missed by all of us here. It has been my great pleasure to work alongside her at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. Personally, I would like to thank her for her unwavering friendship and support, and wish her huge success in her new role.”
Recruitment for the role of Executive Director has now commenced. For more information and to download the recruitment pack, click here.