At its annual Christmas Party, the Association Of British Theatre Technicians’ (ABTT) revealed to its members, industry leaders and invited guests, its new Chief Executive Officer.
From an exceptional list of candidates invited for interview, Andrew De Rosa, a theatre and venue manager, topped the field to be duly appointed the ABTT’s first full-time CEO.
De Rosa, 49, a graduate of LAMDA’s Stage Management and Technical Theatre course, first came to prominence during his time at the former Apollo Leisure Group, serving from the 1980’s when it grew into the UK’s largest theatre operator, owning or managing many of the country’s best known theatres, with 25 sites in more than 20 cities and London’s West End.
Making his reputation as the Deputy General Manager of London’s Apollo Victoria, De Rosa rose to be a divisional head within Apollo, gaining significant experience in business development, corporate strategy, operations, PR, sponsorship, finance and HR. His managerial positions included time at Manchester’s Palace and Opera House and overseeing the grand West End reopening of the Lyceum Theatre.
It was these skills, coupled with De Rosa’s commercially minded and hands-on approach to management, his wide-ranging knowledge of the industry and over 25 years of leadership experience, which so impressed the ABTT interview panel.
Commenting on the appointment, ABTT Chairman Mark White said, “We are pleased to welcome Andrew who will lead the ABTT and re-establish the Association as the prime source of technical information and knowledge about live performance.
“He said at interview he needed a job that would provide him with a challenge and would stretch him. We have given him a job that will do just that and are very much looking forward to working with him.”
De Rosa, who takes up the post on 4 January, replied, “I am delighted to be taking the helm of the ABTT at a point when its members feel it is time for a new direction.
“I welcome the chance of using my skills learnt from working in the theatre, to reorganise such an important Association.
“I want to ensure that it continues to represent the best of British Theatre and, above all, support its members and be at the forefront of technical theatre”.
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