HQ’s Ockwell appointed as chief executive of Belfast GOH
HQ Theatres managing director Michael Ockwell has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Grand Opera House, Belfast.
Ockwell will take up his new post early next year, taking over from John Botteley, who announced his retirement in June. In his current post at HQ, a subsidiary of Qdos Entertainment, he is responsible for the company’s portfolio of seven regional theatres - Southend Theatre, Cliffs Pavilion, Palace Theatre Westcliff, The Orchard Theatre Dartford, The Beck Theatre Hayes and White Rock Theatre Hastings.
Ockwell said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Grand Opera House and look forward to working with the Trust and the theatre’s excellent team. This is one of the most prestigious arts roles in Northern Ireland and I feel honoured and excited to lead the organisation. Both my family and I have been thrilled by the warmth of the welcome we have received so far and we are all looking forward to our move to Northern Ireland.”
He was congratulated on his appointment by Nick Thomas, chairman of Qdos Entertainment. “Since 2006, when the company was formed, Mike Ockwell has been central to the growth and success of HQ Theatres, the theatres division of Qdos Entertainment,” said Thomas. “He is a true professional with a real feeling for what makes theatres popular with audiences. Our loss is Northern Ireland’s gain - but I shall look forward enthusiastically to continuing to work with Mike on our hugely popular Qdos pantomimes which we stage at the Grand Opera House.”
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