Our CEO, Board and Honorary Patrons

Our venues play a vital role in enriching the cultural landscape of Leeds and its surrounding areas, contributing artistically, educationally, and economically.

We have a Board of 12 Trustees who help steer our organisation towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the Charity has adequate resources to advance its mission and vision. As custodians of the Charity’s vision, Trustees are responsible for ensuring that we remain focused on our objectives, operate transparently, and use our resources effectively. They provide both challenge and support to the CEO and senior leadership team, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.

The Board is also instrumental in broadening and strengthening our reach and networks, using their connections to unlock new opportunities and partnerships. This commitment and oversight help to ensure the charity’s resilience and relevance both in our city and nationally.

More about Vicky

Gaynor Faye

Gaynor’s relationship with Leeds Heritage Theatres began when she was little, stepping onto The Grand Theatre stage at eight as a ballet dancer where she took in “the magnificence of the auditorium”. Since then, she’s appeared in the original tour Tim Firth’s Calendar Girls, her mum Kay Mellor’s Band of Gold, and Peter James’s Looking Good Dead.

She made her directorial debut here with The Syndicate in April 2024 as a tribute to her mum, rehearsing in the same space Kay used for Band of Gold and Fat Friends: The Musical — “the perfect home for her third hit stage show”.

On stage and screen, Gaynor is best known as Megan Macey in Emmerdale, Judy Mallet in Coronation Street, and most recently as Sian in The Inheritance. Her credits also include Fat Friends, Playing the Field, The Chase, Casualty and numerous other dramas.

As Creative Director of Rollem, she guides the company’s development slate, mentors new writers and works on both solo projects and those initiated by Titan Kay. A passionate writer, she’s written or script-edited episodes of Playing the Field, Fat Friends, The Chase, In the Club and The Syndicate.

Cllr Robert W. Gettings MBE JP 

Robert Gettings has dedicated his life to education and local government. Originally a teacher by profession, he taught in Morley and served as a deputy headteacher at Bruntcliffe High School. He has spent his life championing culture and civic pride across Leeds.

In 2007, he was elected to Leeds City Council representing the Morley North ward – a position he still holds today. He has twice been Mayor of Morley (the town council) and served as the 128th Lord Mayor of Leeds in 2022–2023, taking on the city’s highest civic office.

Throughout his career, Cllr Gettings has been a passionate champion of arts and culture in his community. He was a founding member of the Morley Literature Festival, helping launch an annual celebration of literature in the town and he also served as president of the Morley Music Society and the Morley Operatic Society, supporting local music and theatre productions. Bob served as a Trustee of Leeds Heritage Theatres for almost 20 years, contributing to the wider cultural scene in Leeds and helped support the organisation through some challenging times.

His extensive community work – particularly in arts and youth initiatives – earned him an MBE in 2010.

Lucinda Yeadon

Lucinda has long supported Leeds Heritage Theatres. She was an elected member of Leeds City Council, where she represented the Kirkstall Ward. During this time, she served on the Executive Board for eight years, holding several portfolio positions, and was Deputy Leader for three years. In 2022, Lucinda was made an Honorary Alderman of the City of Leeds. She was Chair of the Board of Trustees at Leeds Heritage Theatres from 2013 – 2016.

Before starting her political career, Lucinda worked for the Royal Mencap Society in their community development team, campaigning for the rights of people with learning disabilities. She sits on various boards for local and national third sector and cultural organisations. Lucinda is chair of Kirkstall Valley Development Trust.