We are thrilled to announce that Tarek Iskander will become our new Artistic Director and CEO in May 2019.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Battersea Arts Centre’s fantastic team. David Jubb’s legacy is immense, and we want to use that springboard to continuously reinvent how we embolden our communities and our artists. Battersea Arts Centre will always be a home for the pioneering and the under-represented, the visionary and the mischievous. It’s that uncompromising, radical and rebellious spirit… That’s what has always made Battersea Arts Centre precious to me and to others. I’m so excited to work with everyone to devise what remarkable things Battersea Arts Centre does next.”
Tarek Iskander is currently Interim Director for Theatre at Arts Council England. He has also been an Artistic Director as part of Up Next – a takeover initiative by Artistic Directors of the Future, Battersea Arts Centre and Bush Theatre, designed to catapult visionary artists into leadership roles in the UK’s theatre industry and broaden representation. Previously, Tarek was one of the founders and Associate Artistic Director of the Yard Theatre in Hackney and also Resident Director at the National Theatre Studio. Credits as Director include Qudz and Shiver (both at the Yard Theatre and also written by Tarek Iskander), Minotaur (Unicorn Theatre) and A Winter’s Tale (Batumi Drama Theatre/ British Council Georgia). Prior to embarking on a career in theatre, Tarek worked for many years in senior and executive roles with the National Health Service.
“We are thrilled to appoint Tarek Iskander as the next Artistic Director and CEO of Battersea Arts Centre. Tarek emerged as the leading candidate after an open and rigorous recruitment process, involving external panellists and members of the community. I look forward to supporting his inspiring vision for the future of Battersea Arts Centre in my new role as chair of the board of trustees.” David Bryan, Chair of the board of trustees
“On behalf of all the team at Battersea Arts Centre, I am delighted to be welcoming Tarek as our new Artistic Director & CEO from May 2019. Tarek’s wide-ranging skills, collaborative approach and original ideas mean that Battersea Arts Centre will continue to go from strength to strength under his leadership, ensuring that our core purpose – to inspire people to take creative risks to shape the future – remains at the heart of all that we do.” Rebecca Holt, Executive Director and Deputy CEO
“Tarek is a fantastic appointment for Battersea Arts Centre. He brings vision, warmth and a breadth of experience. He will lead positive change and take the organisation to a whole new level. Battersea Arts Centre owes a huge debt of gratitude to Michael Day, who has played a terrific role as Chair over the last six years. We are lucky to now have David Bryan as an outstanding new Chair; I very much look forward to working with him through until April.” David Jubb, Artistic Director and CEO