Lucy Askew appointed new CEO of Broadway

Lucy Askew, current CEO and Creative Producer of the Creation Theatre Company in Oxford, has been appointed CEO of Broadway, Nottingham assuming the role from Steve Mapp who will retire in late-April after 15 years in the role and 33 years in the organisation.

Askew has worked in arts and charity leadership for 15 years and brings her strategic leadership knowledge to Broadway, as well as extensive experience in working with communities to develop new audiences through the opportunities presented by digital technology. Her success in this area led to her being nominated as an "Emerging Digital Leader" at the Arts Council England’s Digital Culture Awards 2021.

She is looking forward to starting this new chapter: “There are not many opportunities that would tempt me away from the exciting projects on Creation Theatre’s horizon, but joining Broadway is an opportunity of a lifetime.  It is an absolute honour to be joining such a vibrant part of Nottingham’s cultural landscape and such a high calibre team.”

Under Steve Mapp’s tenure as CEO, Broadway has become one of the UK’s leading independent cinemas attracting thousands of visitors each year and expanding its wider responsibilities for developing new filmmaking and creative talent through programmes such as the BFI Film Academy and Near Now, its studio for arts, design and innovation supported by Arts Council England. Lucy will be responsible for ensuring the continued growth and success of Broadway during a challenging period for the arts:

Paul Southby, Broadway’s Chair, said: “Broadway’s board is hugely grateful to Steve for his dedicated leadership over so many years, during which he has assembled a great senior management team and has overseen the development of Broadway - both as a place and as a nationally and internationally significant hub for film and creativity. His retirement is without doubt a big moment for Broadway, and I am excited that we have been able to attract a candidate of Lucy’s calibre to take up the reins and drive Broadway forward. I know that she is keen to broaden Broadway’s offering whilst maintaining the unique spirit of the place, and I very much look forward to working with her.”

Askew added: “Whilst there are numerous challenges and opportunities ahead, without doubt Steve Mapp’s incredible legacy has put in place the strongest foundations an incoming CEO could possibly wish to build on.”