29 Jul SDUK welcomes Harold Finley
We are thrilled to announce that Harold Finley has been appointed as SDUK’s new Executive Director. Harold and Thomas Hescott will work together for the rest of 2021 to ensure a smooth handover. Thomas will step away at the end of the year, and comments, “I may be stepping down as Executive Director, but I will always be an SDUK member. I am incredibly proud of all SDUK has achieved, and I can’t wait to see what SDUK does next”.
From Pooja Ghai and Matthew Dunster (Co Chairs of the SDUK Board):
“It has been a privilege to work with Tom for the time that we have. His dedication, compassion and activism has grown SDUK into an organisation whose values are built on collaboration and care. SDUK holds a vital place in our sector advocating unequivocally for its members, and this reputation and trust has been cultivated through Tom’s artistic leadership. Tom will be hugely missed, and the board are extremely grateful to him for all his contribution to SDUK over the years. We wish him every success as he moves on.”
—
Harold Finley is a director, writer and producer. He began working in theatre as an actor appearing at the National Theatre; West End; fringe; regional theatre; Edinburgh fringe; US tours; film, and television. Harold co-founded and produced the Black, Queer & Fierce arts festival, which is recognized as the first arts festival from a Black, queer perspective. Recent directing credits include Go-See, New York, A Thousand Miles of History, London, and Faithless Bitches, London. He has worked with the Actor’s Centre, and is the director of Truly Fierce Productions. Harold is currently developing A Thousand Miles of History for New York, and a new musical, Lulu (A Monster Musical), based on Frank Wedekind’s ‘Lulu Plays’.
Harold is a member of Ambassador Theatre Group’s Diversity Forum, and SOLT/UK Theatre’s Inclusion and Anti-Racism Working Group.
“I am thrilled to be joining SDUK at such an exciting and challenging time. I look forward to working closely with, and learning from the members, Board and SDUK team to better advocate for, and promote the interests of stage directors across the UK.”
From the SDUK Board:
“It is with great delight that we welcome Harold Finlay to SDUK as Executive Director. He brings with him a wealth of experience – from setting up London’s first Queer Black arts festival, and more recently working with ATG, UK Theatre and SOLT on their anti-racism policies. Harold’s extensive work in the commercial sector will bring a fresh perspective whilst growing our networks and member base. We look forward to working with Harold as we embark on the next phase of SDUK’s journey.”