Federation of Scottish Theatre (FST) today announces Sharon Burgess as the membership organisation’s new Chair of Board of Directors. Sharon Burgess is currently the Chief Executive of Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA)—a multi-award winning, multi-site, arts charity right at the centre of North-east Scotland. Burgess is a seasoned arts executive who has vast experience in Scotland and globally.
Prior to taking on her role at APA, Burgess held the position of Chief Executive at ARTRAGE—a non-for-profit cultural organisation based in Perth, Western Australia—where she successfully guided the organisation through the tumultuous years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Burgess has been on the FST Board since October 2024 and her expertise will serve well as Chair.
Burgess said: “I’m delighted to take on the role of Chair of Federation of Scottish Theatre at an important time for our sector. FST has a key role to play in bringing people together, making the case for the value of the performing arts and representing the breadth of work taking place across Scotland. I’m looking forward to working with Kenny, the Board and FST’s members to build on that work, strengthen our collective voice and support a confident and ambitious future for theatre, dance and opera in Scotland.”
FST is also pleased to announce three new Board Members who were elected by FST Members at the 47th Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 23 September 2026. Jeanie Scott, Chief Executive of Dance Base–with over 30 years of experience working within the performing arts and creative industries—will be joining the FST Board. Co-Founder of Shotput—a dance-theatre company based in Glasgow—Jim Manganello will also be joining the Board, alongside Nina Doherty—an experienced producer who joined world-renowned Vanishing Point in 2026. These respected professionals will bring fresh insight to FST’s Board.
FST is happy to confirm that Susannah Armitage, Senior Producer at Eden Court; Caroline Newall, Director of Artistic Development and member of the Senior Management Team at National Theatre of Scotland have been re-elected to FST’s Board. Kate Nelson, Artistic Director/Chief Executive of Nutshell; Christine Martin, Arts Programme Manager at OneRen; Marek Litwin, Finance Manager at the National Federation of Music Societies; and Viv Coady, an experienced HR Professional with over 30 years’ experience, are also continuing their terms as FST Board Members. The organisation looks forward to continued work with both the returning Board members, with Burgess at the helm and new acumen from Scott, Manganello, and Doherty.
Kenny McGlashan, Chief Executive of Federation of Scottish Theatre, said: “FST’s Board plays a vital role in the work that we do, and we look forward to the progress they will help us to make with Burgess at the wheel as Chair, and with new expertise from Nina Doherty, Jim Manganello, and Jeanie Scott.”
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For more information and images please contact Erin Speirs at press@scottishtheatre.org.