How are the Company Committee and Company Chairman appointed?

The members of the Company Committee are elected at the AGM, held every autumn. Members wishing to stand need a 'Proposer' and a 'Seconder' (both Company Members) and provide a brief description of their experience and aims. This is circulated to all Company Members to promote their election. All Company Members can attend the AGM and vote for those candidates they would like to be on the Committee. Although Friends are welcome to attend the Company AGM, they are not able to vote in these elections. Committee members serve for three years and memberships are staggered so that a change of the complete Committee at any one time is avoided.
The present membership of the Company Committee is : Jeff Kelly (Chair); Sara Randall; Colin Guthrie; Karen Walker; Meryl Griffiths; Peter Westbury; Janet South; Sheila Burbidge; Pat Grosse. The following also attend Company Committee meetings : either the Artistic Director or one of the AADs; Nick Insley (Financial Director); Zizi Sulkin (Chair of Publicity Group); Moira McSperrin (Chair of Technical Group); Sue Brodie (Minutes Secretary). The Company Chairman is selected from amongst the elected members of the Committee.

What is the role of the Guarantors' Board?

The Board is the body that runs "Tavistock Repertory Guarantors Limited". This is the Limited Company that supports the Tavistock Repertory Company (the Tower Theatre Company) by managing the theatre's premises, staff and its overall finances. These are essential though not particularly glamorous responsibilities.

Who is on the Guarantors' Board and how are they appointed?

There are currently 50 or so Guarantors who, traditionally, have been drawn from reasonably long-established members of the Repertory Company. However, any Company Member who wishes to become a Guarantor may apply to the Guarantors' Board for consideration. The Company Committee may nominate up to three members of the Guarantors' Board. Each year, at their own AGM the Guarantors elect a Board of unpaid Directors. The membership of the Board is currently: Sheila Burbidge; Jeff Kelly; David Holyoake; Nick Insley (Financial Director); Dinah Irvine; Stephen Ley; Jim Spall; Martin South; Laurence Tuerk; Penny Tuerk (Chairman).
Further information on the Guarantors can be found in the 'Management' section of the Tower Members' pages on this website.

What is the role of the Relocation Board?

The Relocation Board was appointed by the Company Committee and Guarantors' Board about ten years ago to manage the relocation project. The need for this arose because our then Solicitor made a mistake which meant that the landlords of our previous, long-term home (the Canonbury Tower) were within their legal rights to refuse to offer us new leases on the previous terms. As a result, the Company had to set up a group to deal with the project to move to a new home. Its immediate responsibilities were to identify what we needed in practical terms and to look at potential alternative premises. Other essential tasks included the identification of potential sources of finance, specialist advice and assistance. The detailed nature of the work involved has developed over the years and the Relocation Board has, accordingly, enlisted the help of additional members as the need for different or additional skills has arisen.

Who is on the Relocation Board and how are they appointed?

The current membership of the Relocation Board is: John Cornwell; Chris de Pury; Julie Dark; Nick Insley; Jeff Kelly (joint Chairman); Martin South; Laurence Tuerk; Penny Tuerk (joint Chairman). The Relocation Board is not self-selecting, but is appointed jointly by the Company Committee and the Guarantors' Board.

Why have an artistic team of three and not just a single Artistic Director?

This was changed by agreement at an AGM some time ago. The rationale was both to spread the workload and to ensure succession planning. The idea was that someone would be AAD for a period and would then potentially step into the AD shoes from a position of knowledge.

How are the Artistic Director and Assistant Artistic Directors appointed?

The Company Committee is responsible for appointing Members of the Artistic Direction Team. The Committee will request nominations from the Company and then circulate candidates' names and "introductions" for comments from the membership. The Committee will then interview the individuals and an appointment is made. In practice it hasn't worked like this in recent times, as there has been a dearth of candidates willing to take on these roles. The Committee has still considered carefully submissions from prospective post-holders but there has not been a significant field upon which the membership can comment.

How long do the Artistic Director and Assistant Artistic Directors stand for?

The Artistic Director serves for three years with the option of standing for a further three years. At the end of two terms s/he must stand down for at least one term. The Assistant Artistic Directors serve for two years, standing down alternately, so that one is appointed each year. At the end of their two year term they must stand down for at least one year, although they can stand straight away for the Artistic Director post if that comes up.