Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse theatres appoints new Trustees

Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse theatres are set to benefit from a wealth of experience as Laura Collier and Paul Maddock join the Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust Board of Trustees.

The new appointments bring valuable skills in creativity, artist development, cultural strategy, inclusion, governance and legal expertise to Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse theatres, further strengthening an already accomplished board.

Laura Collier, an Independent Creative Director and Executive Producer, brings a wealth of experience in cultural leadership, artistic strategy, and organisational transformation. Her career includes senior roles at Shakespeare North Playhouse (as its first Creative Director), the National Theatre (Head of Studio), Battersea Arts Centre, and the Traverse Theatre.

“The Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse are iconic theatres which I have long admired, and to have the opportunity to join the Board at this exciting time is a real privilege,” said Collier. “I take the responsibility very seriously and am ambitious for the next creative chapter and look forward to playing my part in supporting these extraordinary and important theatres.”

Paul Maddock is a Director at international law firm DWF, specialising in commercial disputes and governance in contentious trust and probate matters. Highly regarded in the Legal 500, Paul is also the Chair of the Law Society of England and Wales’ LGBTQ+ Solicitors Network, championing diversity, equity and inclusion within the legal profession.

“As a long-time supporter of the Everyman and Playhouse theatres, and someone born and raised in Liverpool, I am delighted to be joining the Board,” Maddock shared. “I am a strong advocate of the importance of access to creative opportunities, therefore, I’m thrilled to be helping the Everyman and Playhouse move forward with the next stage of its strategic ambitions given its vital role in the cultural life of Liverpool and beyond.”

Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust (LMTT) is the charitable organisation overseeing the Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, two of the city’s most iconic and culturally significant theatres. The Trust ensures the theatres are well-managed, legally compliant, and aligned with the strategic priorities of Arts Council England and Culture Liverpool—particularly in areas of ambition, inclusivity, quality and relevance.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Paul Bibby and Helen Blakeman for their leadership and dedication as Trustees—they’ve made a lasting impact. As we welcome Laura Collier and Paul Maddock, we’re excited to strengthen our board with fresh perspectives and continue our mission to champion bold, inclusive theatre at the heart of Liverpool’s cultural life.”

Next month the Trust will begin recruitment for a new Chair, as Andrea Nixon steps down at the end of her tenure in the role.