This year is proving to be quite a pivotal one in the history of Leeds Heritage Theatres (Leeds Grand Theatre, City Varieties Music Hall and Hyde Park Picture House). After the appointment of Vicky Cheetham as chief executive officer (CEO) in summer 2024, this May will see Dame Dr Linda Pollard taking up the position of Chair – the first time two women have concurrently held the two most senior positions.

“I think leaders who are women and challenge the traditional pattern and broaden perceptions are really important,” says Vicky. 

These were sentiments echoed by Dame Linda: “I’ve been a champion of women in business forever. I’ve chaired companies that have deliberately worked to give women that confidence but if you’re running a business, gender is irrelevant, providing you’re getting the results – but we must encourage more of it.”

Together, Vicky and Dame Linda will steer Leeds Heritage Theatres through a new Strategic Plan that will serve to strengthen their creative work, connect with more people, and operate sustainably, guiding them into the next stage of development.

Vicky Cheetham joined Leeds Heritage Theatres with an impressive CV, having previously been Co-Executive Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Managing Director of Tate, Executive Director, Arts at Southbank Centre, and Executive Producer at London’s Barbican. She has worked across music, theatre, dance, comedy, film, literature, visual arts and creative learning, delivering ambitious artistic programmes both nationally and internationally.

“I’ve spent much of my career in London, but Leeds has always felt like home; I was born in Beverley but grew up in the city,” Vicky says. “My husband and I always wanted to come back north – he’s from Scarborough – and everything aligned because this opportunity came up and professionally, it was very exciting.”

Dame Linda Pollard was born in Saltaire but has spent much of her working life in and around Leeds. As well as founding and leading several successful businesses in marketing, property and retail, more recently she has served as Chair of Leeds Teaching Hospitals, one of the UK’s largest and most complex NHS organisations. She has also previously held senior roles as Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Governing Body at the University of Leeds and Deputy Chair of Yorkshire Forward. 

Referring to her previous comment, Dame Linda has been a long-standing advocate for women in leadership through An Inspirational Journey and the 2% Club UK. Her contribution has been recognised through numerous national honours, including her appointment as Dame Commander of the British Empire in 2020.

Although Dame Linda doesn’t take up her post until May, work has already begun involving a series of inductions as well as meeting all the staff at the three venues.

“The staff are amazing, I’ve already seen the venues and have spent a lot of time there,” Dame Linda comments. “It’s giving me some thinking time. I’m learning a lot, I’m listening a lot and hopefully, come May, I can hit the deck running.”

Now 80, Dame Linda shows no signs of letting up – “I tried retirement twice, it didn’t suit me,” she laughs – and although this presents a new sector for her, she’s more than up to the challenge.

“Business principles are always the same,” Dame Linda explains. “And for me, health and social care and the theatre and creative arts have quite a good crossover.”

But it was Dame Linda’s meetings with Vicky that really swayed her.

“Vicky was the turnkey. I saw that energy, that drive… she’s relatively new in the post, so has got a different lens and my lens is very, very different. When you go into a new company, you see it very differently. It’s not a critical lens; it’s an absorbing lens.”

Vicky’s remit since becoming CEO has been quite simple – helping Leeds Heritage Theatres shift gear. “For a long period of time, the focus, quite understandably, has been about keeping the doors open and bums on seats,” she says. “There is a real need to lift our gaze; it’s about strengthening our creative voice and reconnecting more deeply with the city. 

“The Strategic Plan has creativity, learning and public value at the centre of it and that has helped us to start thinking and aligning programming, partnerships and the way we work.”

Staff at Leeds Heritage Theatres have been quick to get behind the new plan and the two leading ladies are full of praise for them. “They are so passionate and so knowledgeable,” says Vicky. “They have got real intention and momentum and they’re very committed. Some of them have been here for years; they know the buildings inside out.”

Working together, they aim to drive Leeds Heritage Theatres into a new era where continuous improvement will be key.

“You can’t stand still in any business because you’ll start sliding backwards,” states Dame Linda. “It’s not just theatre, it’s much more and that’s what quite excites me. There is so much more, and I think the timing is perfect for Vicky and me to come together because we’re both sharing that ambition.”

“The key thing for me is listening,” echoes Vicky. “That insight then sits alongside your creative ambition so you can develop and change and become more robust. I’m keen that we celebrate the heritage, but we also grapple with experimentation, ambition and other art forms.”

Having three sites presents different challenges but also different opportunities, as Vicky explains. “One of the big challenges is making sure each venue has its own identity, its own purpose and its own programme. The thing I’m vividly trying to make a case for is that the venues function as a cultural campus rather than standalone buildings, which gives us freedom to work much more boldly.

“That means multiple art forms, different experiences, different audiences… You can give people the opportunity to explore different things, and you can encourage curiosity. That’s what energises me, it always has done.”

When asked what she personally brings to the role of CEO, Vicky explains: “Experience, values and mindset. I have spent my career working with some of the UK’s most complex and ambitious cultural places so I think I’ve got a good grasp and understanding of how artistic vision and business reality must work hand in hand.

“I really enjoy working with people and building teams. I’m motivated by problem-solving and am comfortable with long-term vision. And the fact I’m from Yorkshire, that also helps me a lot!”

After spending time with both ladies, you get the impression they will make a formidable partnership and Leeds Heritage Theatres will be a lot better for it.

To find out what’s coming up at The Grand, City Varieties and Hyde Park Picture house, click here.