We’re thrilled to announce several new appointments across our Board, Art Squad, EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Subcommittee, and FRA (Finance, Risk and Audit) Subcommittee – each bringing rich experience, creativity, and a commitment to championing diverse Northern voices.
These individuals are joining our existing teams to help ensure that everything we do remains collaborative, relevant and rooted in the stories and issues that matter to people today.
Lydia De La Murrãy joins the Board and Art Squad, drawing on her vibrant career as a theatre-maker, producer and performer.
Andrew Rawlinson, Director of London and West End Theatres at ATG Entertainment, joins our Board and Finance, Risk and Audit Subcommittee, bringing years of experience in arts leadership and a deep commitment to widening access to theatre.
Sophia Hatfield joins the Art Squad, bringing a wealth of experience as a touring actor-musician and storyteller rooted in community practice.
Ali Khan joins the EDI Subcommittee with a background in film and photography, working with young people and a strong focus on northern voices and visual storytelling.
Abbi Senior joins the EDI Subcommittee as a queer, disabled poet and community organiser passionate about inclusive creativity.
Read all about our new recruits below!
What is the Art Squad, FRA and EDI Subcommittee?
The Art Squad is a collective of artists and activists who help Northern Broadsides stay connected to the communities the company serve. They provide invaluable insight into programming, monitor artistic quality, and advise on cultural and social justice. The EDI Subcommittee supports the company in holding themselves accountable to their equality, diversity and inclusion commitments and action plan. The FRA Subcommittee provides financial oversight, including budgeting, reporting, risk management and compliance.
“Northern Broadsides benefits from a distributed leadership governance model which spreads responsibilities across the Board and sub-committees. This enables individuals with diverse skills and experience to play active roles in driving the organisation forwards. We’re thrilled to welcome a new cohort with valuable perspectives and expertise to the Northern Broadsides family.”
“We’re delighted to welcome Lydia and Andrew to the board, and Sophia, Ali and Abbi to our sub-committees. We are committed to including diverse voices and lived experience in our decision-making processes and strategic planning. I’m looking forward to working with them all as we continue to build an exciting future for Northern Broadsides.”
LYDIA DE LA MURRÃY
Board Member
As a creative producer, she thrives in the creative industries, developing immersive and engaging work that connects with audiences, nationally and more locally in the north. Over the years Lydia has worked as a freelancer undertaking facilitation, events management and producing roles, with a decade long history within arts education.
Having worked with multiple charities and NPOs with a background in strategic planning and arts management, Lydia is passionate about making work that is accessible, thought-provoking, and entertaining. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, she is dedicated to bringing bold, relatable, and entertaining stories to life.
ANDREW RAWLINSON
Board Member
Now, Director of London and West End Theatres at ATG Entertainment, Andrew oversees ten iconic venues including the Lyceum, Savoy, Piccadilly, Phoenix, Duke of York’s, Ambassadors, Harold Pinter, Fortune, Playhouse, and Apollo Victoria. Andrew also serves as Chair and Trustee of the Live Entertainment and Arts Foundation, and sits on the boards of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and the Theatres Development Trust. He is committed to widening access to the arts, especially for young people and underserved communities.
SOPHIA HATFIELD
Art Squad
Originally from Bingley, she now lives in Manchester and works all over the country as a touring artist, theatre maker and producer.
One of Sophia’s first experiences of live theatre was at Salts Mill, watching a Northern Broadsides production of King Lear. This kick-started a life-long love of theatre and performance, and, after a few years she was lucky enough to join Northern Broadsides for the first time as a member of the cast in Love’s Labour’s Lost.
After an early career performing in touring and regional theatre, Sophia began creating her own work, focusing on solo storytelling shows for libraries. She is now an established theatre-maker, with a diverse practise that includes writing, composing, producing and performing. Sophia was Storyteller in Residence at the Brontë Parsonage Museum throughout 2024 and even runs regular literary-themed creative baby sessions in Haworth.
Driven by a belief that absolutely everyone deserves access to high quality art, Sophia co-runs a small company, specialising in high quality performance and participatory work for library and community spaces.
Ali Khan
EDI Subcommittee
With a background in acting and a strong passion for visual storytelling, Ali has also developed a deep interest in theatre-making. He was part of our 2025 Iron People project as a youth theatre support worker, bringing a particular focus on amplifying northern voices within the arts.
“Being part of Northern Broadsides has been one of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences of my life. I always look forward to my next contribution to the company.”
Abbi Senior
EDI Subcommittee
In her work, Abbi utilises storytelling to explore health, identity and politics, and she regularly performs at poetry nights and open mics around the country – and has had work featured at the Leeds Lieder festival. When she’s not working or writing, Abbi can be found reading, playing video games or baking – more often than not, with a notebook beside her to jot down new ideas as they come to her.
