Scotland’s development body for professional dance, opera and theatre, the Federation of Scottish Theatre (FST), has announced that Fiona Sturgeon Shea has been appointed as their new Chief Executive Officer.
Fiona, who joined Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland in 2011, comes to the role of CEO at FST with vast experience in the field. She has held senior roles in several influential theatre companies in England and Scotland, including two separate stints at Edinburgh’s Traverse as Marketing Manager in the 1990s and as Head of Communications. As well as having worked for Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre and Richmond’s Orange Tree Theatre, Fiona has held posts in the public sector when she was Head of Audience & Organisational Development for the Scottish Arts Council, and prior to that, was employed by NHS Lothian to lead the communications for Healthy Respect, a Scottish Government health demonstration project.
Speaking of the appointment FST co-chairs, Rhona Matheson & Liam Sinclair said “Fiona brings fantastic energy and a wealth of experience to FST from her rich and varied career in the performing arts, along with roles in the public sector. Her tenure at Playwrights Studio Scotland has seen her become a fixture of the Scottish cultural landscape, with a fantastic understanding of the joys, challenges, and complexities that brings. We look forward to welcoming Fiona to FST and working closely with her as the organisation focuses on advocacy for the sector around the upcoming Scottish Elections and supporting the health and resilience of our membership in Scotland’s post-pandemic recovery. We also wish to thank outgoing Interim CEO Lucy Mason, whose work and insight in this transition phase has been greatly valued by the membership, board and FST team.”
Fiona Sturgeon Shea, who will take on her new CEO role in March 2021 said “I feel hugely privileged to have been entrusted with this important role at such a crucial and challenging time for the performing arts community in Scotland, and for an organisation that has achieved so much.
My involvement with the Federation of Scottish Theatre began in 1997 when I was co-opted onto the audience development committee. Since then, I have remained a member and served on the board. I am fully aware that I am standing on the shoulders of giants. I look forward to working with the staff team, the board, the membership and stakeholders at every level.
The sector is resilient, ingenious, and adept at finding solutions. I know that everyone is keen and poised to play their part as we work together to recover and rebuild in a way that is inclusive, fair and representative.”
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 