The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh has announced the appointment of Lyndsey Jackson as its new Executive Director.
Lyndsey Jackson is currently Deputy Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, the charity behind the world’s greatest platform for creative talent, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Over twelve years at the Fringe Society, Lyndsey has played a vital part in delivering its vision to give anyone a stage, and everyone a seat. She has successfully worked to secure the long-term sustainability of the Fringe and its ecology through her motivational leadership, crisis management, strategic planning, fundraising, digital innovation and commercialisation. Most recently, Lyndsey led the Fringe Society’s effort to secure £7M of capital funding from the UK Government to develop its new home as well as the Keep it Fringe Fund that supports artists to bring their work to the Fringe. Prior to her time in Edinburgh Lyndsey worked in event and theatre production, youth engagement and co-creation, and the development of resident and community outreach programmes in her time at Kabosh (Belfast) and Shooting Fish/Blueprint Film (Lincoln). Lyndsey has served on several boards, from the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham to a small theatre company in Northern Ireland. Lyndsey is currently the Chair of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) Board of Finance.
Speaking of her appointment Lyndsey Jackson said:
“I’m excited to be joining James and the team at The Lyceum and look forward to contributing to the long-term success of this glorious producing theatre. Twelve years working in the Fringe and Scottish cultural ecology has taught me much about the ingenuity and creativity of artists, and it has been an honour to support a platform on which all creative talent can thrive. I wholeheartedly believe it is our rich and varied cultural offer that makes Edinburgh a world class city for residents, visitors and the creative community. At the heart of this ecology sits The Lyceum, world renowned for producing exceptional theatre and delivering deep and rich community engagement. I’m eager to offer my expertise and knowledge to the highly skilled team here to ensure we continue to offer Edinburgh, Scotland and the world the most exceptional stories, created and showcased right here on the stages of The Lyceum.”
Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh Artistic Director James Brining said:
“I’m absolutely delighted that Lyndsey Jackson will be joining The Lyceum as our new Executive Director early in the New Year. She has a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of Scotland’s cultural landscape which will be a huge asset to us as we embark upon this new era. It’s a great time to join our organisation, during our 60th anniversary season. The Lyceum is a key player in Scotland’s cultural life, and I’m really excited about working together to shape the next chapter of this theatre’s journey, changing and developing the organisation to maximise the positive impact we can make for artists and audiences across Scotland.”
Tari Lang, Chair of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, added:
“I welcome Lyndsey warmly to The Lyceum. Mike Griffiths will leave big shoes to fill, and I am confident Lyndsey is the right person to fill them. Her experience, latterly during the twelve years at Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, has demonstrated her organisational and operational leadership, and a deep understanding of the culture sector not just in Scotland, but across the UK and internationally. I know that Lyndsey and James will create a powerful duo and look forward to working with them.”
Lyndsey Jackson takes up her position as The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh’s Executive Director full time from January 2026.
Photo Credit: Roberto Ricciuti