Hackney Empire appoints Chris Sudworth as new CEO

Chris Sudworth will take up the role on January 5, 2026, following the departure of current CEO Jo Hemmant, who will step down at the end of 2025 after 12 years at the helm.

Sir William Atkinson, chair of the board of trustees at Hackney Empire, said: "I am delighted to announce that following an exhaustive recruitment process the board of trustees have appointed Chris Sudworth as our next CEO effective January 5, 2026.

"Chris’s impressive track record and clear ideas for the future marked him out as an outstanding candidate from the very outset.

"We are all very excited at the prospect of working alongside Chris to ensure that Hackney Empire continues to deliver outstanding theatre to its enthusiastic and diverse audiences."

Mr Sudworth joins Hackney Empire from Birmingham Hippodrome, where he served as creative director and was responsible for a main stage and studio programme reaching more than 500,000 audience members each year.

He said: "I’m delighted to be joining Hackney Empire after 10 wonderful years in Birmingham.

"It’s a truly iconic theatre, with huge impact locally, deep commitment to increasing access and opportunity, and supporting a new generation of creatives.

"I look forward to building on Jo’s work, collaborating with the board, the team, communities and partners – locally, nationally and internationally – to make Hackney ever more central to the UK theatre ecology."

Ms Hemmant also expressed her confidence in Mr Sudworth’s appointment.

She said: "I have every confidence that Chris will wholeheartedly embrace Hackney Empire and all that it stands for, and that he will treasure this beautiful building, its wonderful team and all our communities.

"Hackney Empire is a precious place and I wish Chris every success as he continues to chart the next chapter in its 125-year history."

Mr Sudworth’s previous roles include executive director of The Old Rep in Birmingham, and director of The Core at Corby Cube from 2010 to 2015.