Darren Atkins, Co‑CEO of LW Theatres, has been elected today as the new President (2027-2030) of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT).
Darren was appointed as Co-CEO of LW Theatres alongside Jules Arnott in 2023. He is responsible for operating and programming the organisation’s six West End theatres (the Adelphi is co-owned with the Nederlander Organisation), overseeing a team of more than 900. Darren also leads the conservation and development of the company’s historic theatres.
Darren began his career in West End theatre at the age of 21 selling ice cream at the Dominion Theatre. He has held management positions at The London Palladium and Cambridge Theatre; has been Operations Manager and Operations Director at Nimax Theatres; and was Chief Operating Officer of LW Theatres before being appointed Co-CEO.
“We are thrilled to welcome Darren as the next SOLT President. At such a pivotal time for our industry, his leadership and deep understanding of both production and venue operations will be invaluable to SOLT and our members. We look forward to working closely with Darren, and Kathy Bourne as UK Theatre President, to advocate for members and to ensure that theatre remains a vibrant and essential part of cultural life.”
Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, Co-CEOs of the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre
“Having spent more than twenty years as a member, it is an honour to be elected as the next President of the Society of London Theatre. For the last decade, working for Andrew and Madeleine Lloyd Webber, I have had the privilege of operating and programming some of the world’s greatest theatres which has instilled a deep commitment to our sector. As President, I look forward to working closely with SOLT and its sister body, UK Theatre, to champion a thriving, collaborative and forward-looking industry.”
Darren Atkins
Darren’s three-year term as President will commence at the 2027 SOLT AGM. Kash Bennett, Executive Director at Sonia Friedman Productions, will continue as President until then. From 24 June this year, Darren will act as SOLT Vice-President, taking over from Eleanor Lloyd OBE who has held the role since 2024.
“We would like to give a special thank you to Eleanor Lloyd who as President, and then Vice-President, has been invaluable to the work of SOLT. Her stewardship of the industry through the pandemic and recovery was a remarkable feat. It has been an honour to work with her.”
Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, Co-CEOs of the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre
SOLT also welcomed newly elected board members Becky Barber (Executive Producer, Jonathan Church Theatre Productions) and Patrick Murphy (Director of Production EMEA, Disney Theatrical Group). Griselda Yorke (Executive Producer, Old Vic Theatre) and Rebecca Quigley (Producer and Co-Founder, Rodeo Productions) have been re-elected.
Patrick Gracey (Producer & General Manager – Patrick Gracey Productions) and Ed Snape (Producer & Director – Fiery Angel) have both stepped down from the Board.
About Darren Atkins:
Darren began his career in West End theatre at the age of 21 selling ice creams at the Dominion Theatre. In 1996 he joined Stoll Moss Theatres as a junior front of house manager at The London Palladium, and in 2001 was promoted to Theatre Manager at the Cambridge Theatre. In 2006 Darren joined Nimax Theatres as Operations Manager and was later promoted to Operations Director. After a decade with Nimax, Darren rejoined LW Theatres as Operations Director. His remit was extended in 2019, when he became Chief Operations Officer, before he was appointed co-CEO, alongside Jules Arnott, in 2023.
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