ACE’s Adlington becomes chief executive of Milton Keynes Theatre

Published Tuesday 6 November 2007 at 14:55 by Alistair Smith

Former Arts Council England head of touring Elizabeth Adlington has been appointed as the new chief executive of Ambassador Theatre Group’s Milton Keynes Theatre.

Adlington, who had been with the arts council for more than a decade before taking voluntary redundancy as part of the organisation’s 2006 restructure, will start her new role in January. She replaces Rachel Tackley who is leaving after five years to become the director of English Touring Theatre.

“I feel hugely proud to be given this opportunity,” said Adlington. “I’ve watched this building come into being - being built and establishing itself on the national map.

“I’ve worked on the producing side before and the job I’ve had at the arts council has been to work on touring with presenting venues, so it seems like a very natural progression to move to the other side of that conversation.”

Prior to joining ACE, Adlington worked as executive director of the Oxford Stage Company and also worked on secondment on the National Theatre’s touring department while at ACE. She joins one of ATG’s most profitable theatres, which the company has operated since it opened in 1999. The venue has 1,400 seats and averages more than 80% of that capacity annually.

Michael Lynas, ATG executive director, said: “We’re delighted Elizabeth is joining ATG as the new chief executive of Milton Keynes Theatre. She has enjoyed an extensive and varied career in the arts industry and brings a wealth of experience and a passion for theatre to the role. I’d also like to thank Rachel Tackley for her committed leadership of Milton Keynes Theatre and to wish her every success with ETT.”