With both current CEO Laura Arends and Founder Geoff Rowe stepping down this year, Big Difference Company, the charity who produce Leicester Comedy Festival and The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival are delighted to announce a new leadership team that will take charge following this year’s festivals.
Joining the Company as CEO will be Michael Harris-Wakelam (pictured left with Stewart Lee & Eshaan Akbar) who is currently Theatre and Events Manager at the Y Theatre in Leicester.
Working alongside Michael as Festivals and Programme Director will be Charlotte Laidet, who is currently Senior Producer at Big Difference, having joined the company in 2017.
Jonathan Kerry, Chair of Trustees said, “Michael and Charlotte bring huge experience to these roles and I am excitedly looking forward to the future. As we celebrate 30 years of Leicester Comedy Festival, as well everything else that Big Difference Company has achieved up to now, we can look forward to the future with confidence and eager expectation of even more good (and funny) things to come!”
Michael Harris-Wakelam says, “I am thrilled to be joining Big Difference Company at what is such an exciting time for everyone involved. The opportunity to become custodian of such an important part of the UK’s arts and live entertainment scene with Leicester Comedy Festival, The UK Kids Comedy Festival and the year round programme of events at The Big Difference venue was a prospect that I was immediately drawn to. I look forward to continuing to build on the legacy left by my predecessors, and further establishing the hard work they have already done to become such an integral part of the local community and national platform we provide for new and emerging talent to thrive.”
Charlotte Laidet says, “Having joined the Leicester Comedy Festival family 5 years ago, I am extremely pleased to have been chosen & trusted with this role; maintaining the legacy of 30 years of Leicester Comedy Festival is a big challenge that I am excited to be a part of. I am looking forward to working with Michael and the team on this new chapter for Big Difference and the festivals.”
About Leicester Comedy Festival
Leicester Comedy Festival 2023 runs from the 8th – 26th February 2023. Its patrons for 2023 will be Eshaan Akbar, Jo Brand, Sikisa and Stewart Lee, joining Tony Slattery. Rosie Jones and Michael Rosen are new patrons of The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival.
● The complete programme is available now at: www.comedy-festival.co.uk
