Left to right: Christine Grimwood, Kylie Lloyd.
Kylie Lloyd will become balletLORENT’s new Executive Director, having been appointed after a nationwide recruitment process. Kylie will step into this role having served as Festivals, Events & Community Arts Manager at Durham County Council for the past 6 years and previously worked as Director of Participation for 15 years at Northern Stage in Newcastle.
Kylie says: “I am delighted to be joining balletLORENT’s and to be working with Liv Lorent on the next phase of the company. I have always admired their work, and this is an exciting time to join, with significant national tours planned for 2024/25, sitting alongside a wealth of opportunities to work with the communities around our base in the West End of Newcastle.”
The appointment follows the retirement of long serving Executive Director, Christine Grimwood who has supported founder and Artistic Director/CEO, Liv Lorent MBE in developing balletLORENT from a small scale touring company, to a company touring at mid-large scale across the UK. balletLORENT now visits some of the most prestigious theatres in the UK including Sadler’s Wells, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Northern Stage, His Majesty Theatre, Aberdeen, Darlington Hippodrome and Newcastle Theatre Royal.
As balletLORENT’s Executive Director, Christine has been responsible for overseeing and managing a broad spectrum of administrative functions including finance, tour booking and logistics, as well as regularly reporting to Arts Council of England as a National Portfolio Organisation and the company’s Board of Trustees.
Liv Lorent said: “We welcome Kylie Lloyd to join us in this pivotal role and build on the exemplary legacy of Christine Grimwood who has been developing the company for more than 20 years. As we grow in experience Ballet Lorent continues to be pioneering, so I am delighted we have recruited an Executive Director who will continue to support our ambition for original creation, artistic connection, and audience reach.
“Christine has played a pivotal role behind the scenes, guiding Ballet Lorent to many successes. Her expertise, dedication, and commitment to the arts have been instrumental in Ballet Lorent’s achievements, leaving an indelible mark on dance theatre.”
Christine Grimwood said: "It has been an absolute privileged to work for Liv Lorent and balletLORENT’s incredible creative team of dance artists, collaborators and staff who have helped make Liv’s artistic vision happen, as well as celebrating many achievements, awards, and successes. I have been involved in an extraordinary cultural journey and I will cherish all the wonderful memories that I share with the company. I wish Liv and the company continued success as they fulfil their future ambition to create a national centre for inclusion in dance at their base at the John Marley Centre, Scotswood. I will always be an ambassador for the company and look forward to continuing a relationship, albeit more distanced!"
