We are delighted to announce the appointment of two new members to our Board: Robert Stephenson and Flo Buckeridge. Each brings a wealth of experience, creativity and leadership that will help shape the next chapter of our organisation’s work.
Robert Stephenson
Robert Stephenson joins the Board with a rich background spanning executive coaching, facilitation and theatre-making. His connection to Theatre-Rites goes back to our very beginnings—he appeared in Houseworks, our first-ever production, in 1996—making his return in this new capacity especially meaningful.
Beginning his career in physical theatre and mime, Robert went on to work extensively in education — from nurseries to universities — where he cultivated a deep commitment to nurturing creativity, agency and transformation in children and young people.
Today, Robert co-leads Zenith Leadership Ltd, supporting senior leaders and organisations to move beyond performance and into presence, drawing on narrative, systems thinking and embodied practice. His work is rooted in a belief in the power of story, play and imaginative environments to help people grow, connect and find their voice.
Robert brings to the Board a unique blend of experience across the arts, education and leadership development, as well as a long-standing belief that beautiful, ambitious theatre for children can ignite lifelong curiosity and change.
Flo Buckeridge
Flo Buckeridge joins the Board with 16 years of experience across theatre and the performing arts. Currently the Executive Director at ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company, Flo leads organisational strategy, fundraising, finance and long-term planning. Alongside this, she works as a freelance Digital Consultant, supporting arts organisations in navigating and expanding their digital presence.
Before ZooNation, Flo spent a decade at the National Theatre, where she played a central role in growing the organisation’s digital output. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched NT at Home, the National Theatre’s streaming platform that expanded access to world-class theatre for audiences across the globe. Flo has also held roles at Complicite, the Barbican Centre and Theatre Royal Stratford East.
Flo’s experience at the intersection of arts management, digital innovation and large-scale organisational leadership makes her a deeply valuable addition to the Board.
We are thrilled to welcome them both and look forward to the energy, insight and vision they will bring to the Board.