Three new Trustees appointed to Theatres Trust board
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-28)

The Secretary of State has appointed Louisa Harris, Mark Johnston and Adam Knight as Trustees of the Theatres Trust from 2 December 2025 to 1 December 2028

Louisa Harris

Louisa is a sustainability and brand strategist dedicated to finding creative and innovative solutions to the complex problems of our time. She is founder of Curiously Liminal – her advisory work focused on activating courageous leaders, collective impact and systems change.

Louisa brings 15 years of experience. She engages boards, leadership teams and entrepreneurs to deliver impact and has worked extensively in the business-to-business sector with complex global organisations. An experienced coach, moderator and programme designer and facilitator, Louisa is particularly interested in co-creating immersive and experiential events that connect, engage, inspire and call to action.

She is a Trustee of Hawkwood: Center for Future Thinking, Senior Fellow of Kite Insights and an academic tutor for the Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership’s courses on Sustainable Business Management and Sustainable Finance.

Mark Johnston

Mark is a Senior Architect at Page\Park Architects in Glasgow, where he has practiced for over 10 years, and now leads their Arts and Culture team. Page\Park is a practice with over 44 years of experience working on projects of all scales across the UK, specialising in the careful conservation and imaginative adaptation of existing buildings.

Throughout his career, Mark has worked almost exclusively on cultural projects, including theatres, cinemas and various other arts venues – driven by his own longstanding interest in the performing arts and the venues that house them. His true passion lies in the architecture of theatre buildings, particularly historic theatres and the under-appreciated venues around the UK that are at risk of closure or demolition.

Mark’s professional work focuses on creative yet practical solutions for how cultural venues can be sensitively adapted to meet contemporary standards for accessibility, sustainability, and audience experience. He also works to find ways of increasing financial resilience in these venues without compromising the distinctive character or spirit that makes them unique.

Most recently, Mark led the multi-million pound restoration and redevelopment of the Grade II listed Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds, and is currently working on projects with Scottish Opera, the Beacon Arts Centre and Leeds Grand Theatre, amongst other cultural venues.

Adam Knight

Adam is Chief Executive of Frank Matcham’s Grade II* listed Blackpool Grand Theatre, which is the winner of the UK Theatre Award for Excellence in Arts Education. For the theatre, he co-produced Grease (with Pitlochry Festival Theatre) and Blithe Spirit (with Salisbury Playhouse) prior to their 2026/27 UK Tour.

Previously, Adam held senior positions at Crewe Lyceum for HQ Theatres/Trafalgar Entertainment, ICC Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall, Sherman Theatre Cardiff, Edinburgh Playhouse, Grand Opera House Belfast, and, for ATG, the Savoy Theatre and Trafalgar Studios in London’s West End.

He began his career at Worthing’s Connaught Theatre and as an Education Trainee at Chichester Festival Theatre. He then trained as an actor with the NYMT, NYT, and Webber Douglas, and toured the UK in Blood Brothers for Bill Kenwright. His production of Samuel Adamson’s ‘Some Kind of Bliss’ played at Trafalgar Studios and 59E59 Theaters, New York, (receiving a WhatsOnStage.com Nomination).

Adam is a co-founder of the Local Theatre Touring Alliance, and serves as a Trustee of Oxford Playhouse and Gary Clarke Company. He Chairs the Creative Blackpool ACE Place Partnership and represents culture on Blackpool’s Town Deal Board. He is a Fellow of the RSA and attended the Buckingham Palace Reception for Young Adults at the invitation of Her Majesty The Queen.

Louisa Harris, Mark Johnston and Adam Knight have been appointed for a 3 year term from 2 December 2025 to 1 December 2028.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Trustees of the Theatres Trust are not remunerated. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6901d7b5b5b9ff4331fc2b67/2025-10-30_Governance_Code_on_Public_Appointments_-_October_2025__2_.pdf). The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election.

Louisa Harris, Mark Johnston and Adam Knight have declared no such political activity.

Notes to Editors

DCMS has around 400 regulated Public Appointment roles across 42 Public Bodies (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations) including Arts Council England, Theatres Trust, the National Gallery, UK Sport and the Gambling Commission. We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. To find out more about Public Appointments or to apply visit the HM Government Public Appointments Website (https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles).