Alistair Spalding - Chief Executive and Artistic Director
Alistair Spalding was appointed Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Sadler's Wells on 28 October 2004.
He joined Sadler's Wells in February 2000 as Director of Programming, and his programme has included companies such as Netherlands Dance Theatre 1 and 2, Mark Morris Dance Group, Michael Clark, Ballett Frankfurt, Pina Bausch, La La La Human Steps, Alvin Ailey and New Adventures. He commissioned Sadler's Wells' recent Hip Hop festival (May 2004) and co-produced Carlos Acosta's sell-out show in summer 2003.
He joined Sadler's Wells from the South Bank Centre, where he was Head of Dance and Performance. Between 1994 and 2000, he strongly developed the presentation and commissioning of dance and performance on the South Bank. He also developed strong co-producing relationships with a number of national and international companies and artists including DV8, Alain Platel, Jonathan Burrows, Javier de Frutos and Rosas Dance Company. The South Bank Centre won the Time Out award for best dance production in both 1998 for Alain Platel and in 1999 for the New York Ballet Stars project.
Alistair was a member of the Arts Council of England Dance advisory panel between 1995 and 2003 and is an external advisor on the City University Validation Board for the Laban Centre London degree courses.
Chrissy Sharp - General Manager
Chrissy Sharp was appointed General Manager of Sadler's Wells in November 2004.
Prior to moving to the UK in 2003, Chrissy was General Manager of the Sydney Festival, Australia's largest annual cultural event. Established in 1976, the festival is a three-week celebration of international and national performing and visual arts. As General Manager, she was responsible for the leadership and management of the operations, marketing, sponsorship, finance and administration of the Festival.
From 1995 - 2000, she was Head of Policy at SBS, Australia's multicultural national broadcaster for both television and radio. She was responsible for SBS's corporate and government relations, including the development of its funding agreements with the Federal Government for 1997-2000 and 2000-2003. She was also responsible for SBS' digital television strategy, including substantial input to digital broadcasting legislation, and for planning SBS' approach to new media development.
Before working at SBS she was Executive Director of the Australian Writers' Guild.
