The Stage

Dickins to be next Theatres Trust chairman

Published Wednesday 7 January 2009 at 12:15 by Lalayn Baluch

Rob Dickins, former chairman of Warner Bros Music Publishing and Warner Records, is to succeed Rupert Rhymes as chairman of the Theatres Trust.

The announcement was made by Rhymes during a special reception at the Royal Court Theatre, held to mark his retirement at the end of this month.

Dickins, who will take up the position on February 1, has spent four decades working in the music industry. As well as chairing Warner Bros, he has been chairman of music industry trade body the BPI, the Brit Awards and the Classical Music Committee. He is also a founding trustee of the National Foundation for Youth Music.

More recently, Dickins started independent music company Instant Karma, and in 2002 was awarded a CBE for services to the music industry.

Making the announcement, Rhymes said: “He has good pedigree, and I am sure that he will take the trust forward to even bigger and better things.”

More than 150 guests were present at the reception to say farewell to Rhymes, who has been chair of the trust for seven years, including actors Timothy West, Penelope Keith and Simon Callow.

Paying tribute to Rhymes, Keith - who became a trustee of the trust last summer - said: “I have been made aware, over a few short months, how influential Rupert’s leadership has been. He has many legacies, and one that immediately springs to mind is his campaign to bring attention to the condition of theatres in the West End through his Act Now report.

“He also initiated the Theatre Buildings at Risk Register. It is a very interesting document which brings to the attention of everybody and the powers that be the buildings that are at risk.”