The organisation behind the Leicester Comedy Festival has appointed a new chief executive to help it plan its way through lockdown and beyond.
Big Difference Company has brought in Laura Arends to work alongside founder and festival director Geoff Rowe.
She joins the charity from touring opera company OperaUpClose, and has a background in theatre and arts marketing in London and the North West
Big Difference Company has also welcomed two new trustees, Laura Hailstone and Julian Haywood, to its board.
Ms Arends said: “I am thrilled to be joining Big Difference Company and leading the charity through the next phase of its development.
“This is an extremely difficult time for everyone in live arts and entertainment and I look forward to working with the board and the team at Big Difference to navigate the challenges ahead and deliver the outstanding Festival experience cherished by both audiences and comedians across Leicestershire and beyond.”
Mr Rowe launched the Leicester Comedy Festival as a student in 1994.
In its first year, it hosted performances by Harry Hill, John Shuttleworth and Matt Lucas.
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Since then he has produced performances with acts including Sir Norman Wisdom, Sarah Millican, Romesh Ranganathan, Barry Cryer, Jasper Carrott, Jenny Eclair and Jo Brand.
The February 2019 festival had more than 870 shows in 72 venues across 19 days.
Laura Hailstone, who is head of events at De Montfort University said: “Having lived, studied and worked in Leicester over the last 20 years, I have had the privilege of working with Big Difference Company in various capacities, and enjoying the Leicester Comedy Festival.
“Joining the board is an exciting opportunity for me personally, and I am looking forward to being able to work with the team again, and support BDC in a formal capacity.”
Julian Haywood has spent the majority of his career working in local authorities, including an extensive spell with Leicestershire County Council.
He moved to Leicester Cathedral for a year in 2015 to act as project manager for the re-internment of King Richard III before taking early retirement in 2017 and becoming an independent consultant.
Mr Haywood said: “I’m really delighted to become a Trustee and I really hope I can add value to one of Leicester’s iconic charities.
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“As a born-and-bred Leicester lad, I’m really proud of my city and, as a ticket-buying member of the public, I have been watching shows at the Leicester Comedy Festival for many years and have become incredibly proud of that, too.
“Being a Trustee not only gives me a chance to support the future development of my home town’s Comedy Festival, it also gives me an opportunity to help Big Difference Company achieve it’s wonderful charitable aims that benefit some of Leicester’s disadvantaged groups.”
Chairman of the trustees Martyn Allison said: “We are excited to welcome Laura to the role of chief executive and we look forward to working with her to develop the long term future of the charity.
“We are also delighted that Laura Hailstone and Julian Haywood have joined us as trustees.
“Their experience and enthusiasm for the work of Big Difference is a wonderful addition to the Board.”