National Theatre announces appointment of Damon Buffini as new Chair of the Board

The National Theatre announced today that Damon Buffini will succeed John Makinson as Chair of the Board with effect from 10 June 2016. Kate Mosse continues as Deputy Chair.

Damon Buffini is a founding partner of private equity firm Permira, and was Chairman and Managing Partner from 1997-2010. He is a Governor of the Wellcome Trust, a Board member of the Royal Shakespeare Company since 2010 and is a co-founder of the Social Business Trust, an initiative to grow social enterprises by using the knowledge, skills and capital of UK businesses.

Rufus Norris, Director, said: ‘I’m delighted that the Board has appointed Damon Buffini. Damon’s deep understanding of the cultural and business sectors will be of enormous benefit to the NT. I look forward to working alongside him as we continue to create some of the world’s most exciting theatre with both established artists and new voices.’

Lisa Burger, Executive Director added: ‘I am excited to work with Damon as the new Chair, and I know that he will bring fresh eyes to the NT’s agenda. John Makinson has been an exceptional Chair and has seen the organisation through a period of significant growth, including in particular NT Future, the £80m redevelopment of the NT. John’s commitment and loyalty to the organisation has been outstanding.’

John Makinson said: ‘The National Theatre Board’s support for Damon Buffini as its new Chair is unanimous and enthusiastic. Damon’s record of commercial achievement will be of great service to the NT. The Board was also influenced by his deep engagement with theatre, illustrated by his many years of service on the Board of the Royal Shakespeare Company, by his long-standing commitment to philanthropy and public service, and by his remarkable gift for organisational leadership. He is superbly qualified for the role.’ Damon Buffini commented: ‘My family and I have been coming to the National Theatre for years; it’s one of this country’s great cultural institutions and I am honoured to have been appointed as Chair. The NT's Learning Programme, which reaches thousands of UK schools, is especially inspiring. I look forward to working with Rufus and Lisa as the NT continues to create some of the world’s greatest theatre, for the broadest possible audiences, in London, across the UK, and around the world.’ Ends Notes to Editors

1. For further information please contact Vicky Kington, Head of Press on 020 7452 3232 or email: [email protected]. For images please click here.

1. Damon has been a Governor and Board member of the Royal Shakespeare Company since 2010, and is also a Governor of the Wellcome Trust, co-founder of Social Business trust, and a Non-Executive Director of the PGA European Tour.

2. Damon Buffini was a founding partner of Permira and was Chairman and Managing Partner from 1997-2010. In the same period, Permira helped to grow and build successful businesses across Europe including: Travelodge, global aviation services group Jet Aviation, Inmarsat, and Homebase.

3. Permira was named European Private Equity Firm of the decade 1996 – 2006. Between 2011 and 2015 Damon represented Permira on the boards of HUGO BOSS and NDS (software and services for satellite TV operators).

4. Damon was educated at the Gateway Grammar School, St John’s College, Cambridge, where he read Law and at Harvard Business School, where he gained an MBA.

5. The current members of the NT Board are:

John Makinson (Chair); Kate Mosse (Deputy Chair); Peter Bennett-Jones; Dame Ursula Brennan DCB; Dominic Casserley; Tim Clark; Glenn Earle; Farah Ramzan Golant; Ros Haigh; Lenny Henry; Elizabeth Offord; Alan Rusbridger; Clive Sherling.

The National Theatre is dedicated to making the very best theatre and sharing it with as many people as possible. We produce up to 30 productions at our home on the South Bank in London each year, ranging from re-imagined classics – such as Greek tragedy and Shakespeare – to modern masterpieces and new work by contemporary writers and theatre-makers. The work we make strives to be as open, as diverse, as collaborative and as national as possible. Equally we are committed to education, with a wide-ranging Learning programme for all ages in our new Clore Learning Centre and in schools and communities across the UK.

The National’s work is also seen on tour throughout the UK and internationally, and in collaborations and co-productions with regional theatres. Popular shows transfer to the West End and occasionally to Broadway. The National Theatre Live programme of cinema broadcasts is now regularly available in over 2,000 cinemas in 55 countries around the world. nationaltheatre.org.uk @nationaltheatre