(L-R Todd Heppenstall, Shay Kennedy, Tito Mogaji, Helen Palmer, Sally Xu)
RTYDS is delighted to welcome Todd Heppenstall, Shay Kennedy, Tito Mogaji, Helen Palmer and Sally Xu to our Board of Trustees. Together they bring expertise that spans law, cultural strategy, communications, audience development, and data. And crucially, they all share our commitment to creating a more equitable theatre industry for working class creatives.
Find out more about them below…
Todd Heppenstall is a headhunter and a former actor. With his company, TH Consulting, he specialises in senior and executive recruitment in theatre, live entertainment and the wider arts, and has worked on some of the sector’s most high-profile appointments. He is originally from Sheffield and trained as an actor at Bristol Old Vic before moving into search.
Shay Kennedy is a lawyer at Lee & Thompson LLP, a leading law firm for the creative industries. He advises producers, creative talent, brands and agencies on theatre, live entertainment and advertising projects, and is recognised by The Legal 500 as a key lawyer for theatre.
Shay is committed to making the creative and legal industries more open to talented people, whatever their starting point. He mentors aspiring lawyers, including through the Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme, and looks forward to supporting RTYDS in opening up routes into directing for people from all backgrounds.
Tito Mogaji is a cultural strategist, marketer, facilitator and creative producer. He is the founder of Nourishment, a Gen Z-led cultural marketing agency and community that works with cultural institutions, brands and community organisations to reach and engage underrepresented audiences.
Alongside his cultural practice, Tito has experience in consulting and social innovation, bringing a strategic perspective to organisational change, partnerships, social impact and public value. He is particularly interested in widening cultural participation, challenging structural barriers and creating more equitable and sustainable pathways into the creative industries and cultural leadership.
Helen Palmer began her career in theatre marketing and PR, working at the Royal Exchange Theatre and Library Theatre Company. She became a marketing, communications and audience development consultant in 1999 and established Palmer Squared consultancy in 2015.
Based in Greater Manchester, Helen has more than 30 years of experience working with theatres and theatre companies, orchestras and ensembles, concert halls, dance companies, museums and galleries, heritage organisations, festivals and events, charities, agencies, and local, national and international authorities.
Sally Xu is a data and insight professional with experience across the UK arts and cultural sector, including the Royal Albert Hall, Southbank Centre and National Theatre.
Alongside her analytical career, Sally has trained in theatre directing in both China and the UK and has experience in theatrical production. She brings this combination of analytical and creative experience to the RTYDS Board, with a particular interest in how cultural organisations understand their audiences, evaluate impact and make informed decisions.
We can’t wait to get started with our new Trustees, with their unique perspectives and experience helping to shape the next chapter of RTYDS’ Fair Play.