Mhora Samuel Director

Mhora began her career as a dancer and choreographer in Scotland and as Administrator for the Gregory Nash Group in Oxford. She moved to London in 1989 as Centre Co-ordinator for Chisenhale Dance Space, and in 1991 was appointed as Director of Total Theatre, the UK lead body for physical and visual performance. She joined ABL Cultural Consulting in 1998 where she worked on a range of capital feasibility studies and arts strategies. In 2001 she was appointed Chief Executive of the Cultural Industries Development Agency, the leading business support regeneration agency for the cultural and creative industries sector in East London. Mhora joined The Theatres Trust in January 2006.

Suzanne McDougall Marketing Development Officer

Contact Suzanne if you would like to hire the resource centre, know more about the Trust's events, or have a press enquiry.

Since studying Fine Art Photography in Melbourne Australia, Suzanne has continued her interest in the arts and arts administration through further study and regular participation with voluntary groups by organising exhibitions and other initiatives. She previously worked in HR and marketing in both the not for profit and corporate sectors and so brings a wealth of practical, administrative and organisational skills to the Trust. Suzanne manages the Resource Centre and the Trust’s annual conference and other events. She is also the Trust’s main press contact.

Kate Carmichael Resources Officer

Contact Kate if you have an enquiry or news about a theatre, require information or images relating to casework, are interested in our learning resource 'Exploring Theatres' or in using our Archive and Reference Library.

Having lived abroad for her formative years she returned to England to study archaeology at Durham University. After graduating she spent a year and a half honing her skills in admin, personnel, accounts and marketing. Kate joined the Trust in 2006 and is responsible for the management and development of the Trust’s resources including news, enquiries, social media, press, publications and education work.

Mark Price Planning and Heritage Adviser

Contact Mark if you need advice on a Planning Application or Listed Building Consent Application related to a theatre or need information on the design or conservation of your theatre.

Mark was appointed as the Trust’s Planning and Heritage Adviser in March 2003. An acknowledged expert in theatre and cinema buildings, he has over 20 years of planning, architectural, urban design, conservation and regeneration experience. Previously Principal Urban Design and Conservation Officer for the London Borough of Hounslow, he dealt with listed buildings, conservation areas, planning and urban design issues and more recently (2008) working as a freelance conservation and design consultant for the London Borough of Hillingdon. He has also worked at Kensington and Chelsea, English Heritage and Adur District Council. Mark serves on the Casework Committees of the Cinema Theatre Association, the Twentieth Century Society and the Victorian Society. Holds a degree in Estate Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Historic Building Conservation from the Architectural Association (AA), is a Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI) and is a Full member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC).

Rose Freeman Planning Policy Officer

Contact Rose if you have a planning policy enquiry

Rose manages the Trust’s formal responses to planning and policy consultations, focussing on Local Development Frameworks and Local Plan revisions. This gives the Trust the opportunity to provide more input into the formulation of local authority policy making with reference to culture and the protection and promotion of theatres. She also researches information and drafts responses to planning applications, listed building applications, Government strategies and cultural studies. Rose brings a vast amount of administrative experience to the Trust and can provide information on policy developments in local planning authorities across the UK.

Paul Connolly Operations and Development Administrator

Contact Paul if you would like to become a Friend of the Trust or if you would like to make a contribution to Theatres Magazine.

As well as providing an administrative, operational and print production functions for the Trust, Paul is also the Editor of Theatres Magazine and manages the Friends membership scheme. He previously worked in management and finance in engineering, the food industry and in the educational sector before taking a career break to read Drama at the University of Manchester in the mid-1990s.

Fran Birch Records Officer

Contact Fran if you have any comments on or new material to add to the Trust's Theatres Database and Image Library.

Fran is responsible for the management and development of the Trust’s theatre records and archive materials. She previously worked in the recruitment industry, but her background is in the arts, with a degree in Drama and an MA in Musicology. Fran applies her passion for knowledge and detail to all aspects of her work including photographing various theatres throughout the country.

Tim Atkinson ECOVENUE Theatre Buildings Services Adviser

Contact Tim if your would like to participate in Ecovenue or would like to find out more

Following completion of a degree in Lighting Design at Rose Bruford College Tim worked in the West End and on the main central show, Ovo, at the Millennium Dome. Since July 2000 Tim has been a resident member of the Electrics staff at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre, with responsibilities shared between building services maintenance, and the installation and operation of the lighting for the occupying shows, such as Peggy Sue Got Married, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and the multi award-winning Hairspray. There he developed his knowledge of both performance and in-house energy usage. Following the introduction of the Mayor of London’s Green Theatre Plan, Tim trained as a Display Energy Certificate Assessor, with the aim of specialising in certificating theatres.