Shakespeare North Playhouse appoints new chair
Max Steinberg has been chosen as the new chair of Shakespeare North Trust
by Laura DavisShakespeare North Playhouse appoints new chair
Merseyside businessman Max Steinberg has been appointed as the new chair of the board overseeing the creation of the UK’s third Shakespearean theatre.
Max has served as a trustee of the Shakespeare North Trust, which is constructing the theatre in Prescot, Knowsley, for the past four months.
He has also led the Playhouse’s Development Committee for the past 12 months.
The new role starts immediately and he says his focus will be to maintain momentum and fundraising in the run up to the theatre's planned opening in 2022.
Max said: "I am delighted to have been appointed as the new chair and to be overseeing such a transformative and remarkable project.
"The Playhouse will complete the UK’s Shakespearean triangle with London and Stratford-upon-Avon and firmly put Prescot and Knowsley on the national and international map.
"I hope to be able to not only raise global awareness of the project but also create a strong commercial entity that also provides fantastic facilities and opportunities for the local community in Knowsley."
Max has a breadth of experience acting as chair of a number of boards including the ACC Liverpool Group, Riverside Housing Association and Roy Castle Foundation.
As the former chief executive of regeneration body Liverpool Vision, he oversaw Liverpool’s award-winning participation in the World EXPO in Shanghai, hosted the Global Entrepreneurship Congress and was chairman of the International Business Festival in 2014, 2016 and 2018.
Edward Stanley, the Nineteenth Earl of Derby and patron of the Shakespeare North Playhouse, said: "I am delighted that we have been able to secure the services of such a capable and well-respected chairman.
"With work on the construction of the Playhouse now underway this project is moving into an exciting new phase of delivery and I am certain that Max is the right person to be at the helm as this project comes to life."
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The confirmation of the appointment of a new Chair follows hot on the heels of a high profile VIP event for the Playhouse, held in Parliament and attended by Dame Judi Dench.
As a long term supporter of the Shakespeare North Playhouse, the award winning actress reconfirmed her passion for the Playhouse and excitement in advance of the first performances which will take place in 2022.
The Playhouse plans not only to host high profile Shakespearean drama but also a variety of comedy, music and theatre performances. It is projected to welcome more than 140,000 visitors per year and inject £10m into the local economy through secondary spend.