Birmingham Hippodrome is delighted to announce that Jon Gilchrist will be joining the team as its new Artistic Director and Chief Executive in Spring 2022.

The appointment follows the departure of Fiona Allan to Opera Australia last month.

Jon has been Executive Director of HOME in Manchester since 2018. The multi-arts venue is the most visited attraction in Manchester welcoming over 900,000 people annually and presents a year-round programme of produced and visiting theatre, cinema and visual arts.

Glenn Howells, Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust Chair, announced the appointment saying: “We are delighted that Jon will be joining us in Spring 2022 and leading Birmingham Hippodrome as it embarks on the next chapter of its evolution. Covid has had a profound effect on the organisation, but our future plans remain as exciting and ambitious as ever – particularly as we look forward to welcoming the Commonwealth Games to the region.”

Glenn added: “Jon brings the experience, creativity, vision and enthusiasm we need to progress the Hippodrome’s future plans and deepen our levels of engagement with the people of our region. On behalf of everyone here at Birmingham Hippodrome, we look forward to welcoming Jon to the team.”

Jon was recently elected Joint President of UK Theatre, a role which he will take up in 2022. He is also on the boards of the Edge Theatre in Manchester and HighTide Theatre in Suffolk.

Previously Jon worked as Executive Director of the Bush Theatre between 2014 and 2018. In this time he led on their major capital redevelopment, and helped expand the organisation’s reach as a centre of excellence for diverse emerging talent. Before this he worked in marketing roles at theatres across the North-West for ten years, including The Lowry in Salford, the Octagon Theatre Bolton, and the Dukes in Lancaster.

Jon Gilchrist said: “I have always admired the Hippodrome as one of the UK’s best theatres. Now, as the team continue the path to recovery from the pandemic, it is even more important to provide people with some much needed joy in these challenging times.

“Birmingham has one of the richest cultural landscapes in the country, and 2022 is a chance to amplify the city’s extraordinary art and artists on an international stage. It’s an exciting moment for the Hippodrome: to reflect the city and to create a cultural legacy from the Commonwealth Games. I can’t wait to get started.”

Jon will be joining Birmingham Hippodrome officially in late Spring 2022.