Youth Theatre Arts Scotland (YTAS) is delighted to announce the appointment of its new Chair, Hazel Wotherspoon to take over the reins from Rachael Brown.
Outgoing Chair, Rachael Brown said, “Holding the position of YTAS Chair has been such a privilege for me. Over the last three years, I’ve witnessed YTAS significantly develop its work in the Youth Theatre sector throughout Scotland and internationally. Working with Kenny and the team has been an absolute joy, their passion and drive is a huge asset to the sector. I will always be a huge supporter of YTAS and look forward to its future successes with Hazel & Kenny at the helm. Best of luck!”.
CEO, Kenny McGlashan and the YTAS Board offered their thanks to Rachael for her time as Chair of the organisation, “YTAS has benefited greatly from Rachael’s leadership. She was massively supportive of Kenny in his first CEO role and has helped develop YTAS’s longer-term strategic work, which will leave a lasting impact on the company and countless young theatre-makers across the country.”
With over 25 years’ experience in the Arts, Theatre and Cultural sector, Hazel Wotherspoon has held numerous roles in a variety of cultural organisations including the Head of Programming and Development for the Arts and Theatres Trust in Fife and Interim Directorship of the Federation of Scottish Theatre. She’s also an Associate Member of the Institute of Fundraising and has amassed specialist experience in capital and project development and corporate sponsorship.
Hazel Wotherspoon commented, “My interest in the role of Chair of YTAS stems from my original involvement with the organisation, which began when the National Festival of Youth Theatre first came to Fife in 2010. It became a calendar event that we loved as an organisation partly because the space, which was most often used for meeting and conferences would be transformed by this festival of creativity. YTAS were also generous in their support of the development of Fife’s Youth Arts Hub that delivered opportunities for 5,000 children and young people in Fife 2014-2016. It was my privilege to lead that programme and bring new experiences and opportunities to the region.”
Hazel’s portfolio of work includes funding consultancy, governance and advocacy and strategic and business planning for a variety of organisations including Creative Scotland where she facilitated as a specialist assessor and panellist for theatre and multi-arts, on their Open Fund.
“As a trained mentor, coach and experienced people manager, I can effectively support Kenny, the staff, overall team and board of directors of YTAS. My time specialising in funding development, paired with a strong personal interest in this particular field, leaves me well placed to bringing the organisation to new heights. I am passionate about creating opportunities for children and young people to participate and build careers in the arts. Theatre and performance has an ability to bring people together, tackle exclusion, challenge our beliefs and offer new experiences like no other art-form. YTAS lays such a vital role in the arts ecology of Scotland so it is an honour to take on this role.”
Kenny and the Board also welcomed Hazel as the next Chair of Youth Theatre Arts Scotland, “We are thrilled that long-standing supporter, Hazel Wotherspoon, will take over as Chair of the YTAS Board. Her considerable experience and commitment to theatre and young people will play a key role in ensuring YTAS continued support and in developing Scotland’s vibrant youth theatre sector, for many years to come.”
To find out more about the YTAS Board of Directors, go to www.ytas.org.uk/about-us/board-of-directors/
