Eleanor Lloyd becomes new President of Society of London Theatre

Producer Eleanor Lloyd has been appointed the new President of Society of London Theatre.

Lloyd has served on the board at SOLT for six years, and her recent productions include the three-time Olivier Award-winning Emilia and Witness for the Prosecution at London's County Hall.

Lloyd has also co-produced shows alongside the likes of Donmar Warehouse, Sonia Friedman Productions and the Almeida.

She said today: "Our theatre industry has a crucial role to play as the nation recovers from an unprecedented crisis. I am proud to be stepping up at this critical moment and committed to helping our vibrant and diverse community rebuild. I want to thank Kenny Wax and SOLT Chief Executive Julian Bird for their calm leadership through the choppy waters of the last eight months. I can't wait to welcome back our passionate audiences and I will work tirelessly to ensure London remains a global destination for the best live theatre."

Outgoing president, Kenny Wax (responsible for shows such as Six and The Play That Goes Wrong) said: "It has been a great honour to serve as President for the past three years of this extraordinary and (in my opinion) undervalued trade organisation.

"The work that SOLT has done led by Julian and his team has been titanic since the first lockdown in March. One would like to hand over the reigns of an organisation with the industry in good health, but the extraordinary circumstances of the past eight months make that impossible. I would like to thank the board and the membership for supporting me during my time as President and to take this opportunity to wish Eleanor all the very best in her new role."

Julian Bird, chief executive of SOLT said: "We are delighted to welcome Eleanor Lloyd as the new president of SOLT. She takes on the role at a time of great turmoil and uncertainty for our industry, in which SOLT has arguably never played a more important part in providing a voice for theatre, ensuring industry professionals are protected, and lobbying for the vital support we need to survive as a sector. Having worked across so many forms of theatre, from the fringe to the West End, I believe Eleanor is well placed to help steward SOLT and its members, helping us weather this storm. SOLT would also like to thank President Kenny Wax and Vice President Caro Newling for their tireless work over the past three years."