Stag CEO to retire after 14 successful years

Published: 16 January 2026

Andrew Eyre, the current Chief Executive of the Stag, has announced that he will be retiring from his role this summer. Andrew has fulfilled fourteen very successful years developing The Stag, its business, its community links, its ethos and the building and we wish him well in his deserved retirement.

Andrew Eyre said: “It has been an honour and a privilege (and not least a lot of hard work) to develop The Stag since we rescued it from closure. I think The Stag is now in an excellent position – commercially and financially strong and stable in both business and artistic terms. The hall-hire model has consistently proven to be the best route forward in a world of reducing public sector financial backing. The support of the District Council’s finance committee to keep The Stag local shows the way forward. The Stag’s team is settled, stable and excellent and I am proud of them and the work they do. Deciding to change is always a challenge but now is the time for me to step back and for The Stag to take its next steps with a new leader.”

The Stag has been operating its current business model since Sevenoaks Town Council introduced this in 2009. The Town Council currently has a lease for the building from Sevenoaks District Council and provides a sub lease to The Stag which operates as an independent charity.

The Stag receives an annual grant of £27,000 from Sevenoaks Town Council and in addition as a charity, business rates are waived by Sevenoaks District Council. The key to the success of The Stag is to operate a low risk ‘hall hire / receiving house’ business model under which is provided first class facilities for artists and performers, but we do not underwrite shows. The business plan is reinforced by a small, dedicated staff and a wonderful team of volunteers.

Laura Trott MBE, MP said: “Andrew has played a pivotal role in The Stag’s success, none more so than during the darkest days of Covid, when the theatre’s future was in real jeopardy. Andrew and his team have transformed what was once a struggling venue into the thriving, much-loved community theatre it is today. I congratulate him on all that he has achieved and thank him for his outstanding service. He will be missed”.

But the Show(s) Must Go On!

The Stag Trustees have now started the recruitment process for a new Chief Executive, and we hope to have Andrew’s successor in place by early summer. The clear aim is to build on Andrew’s legacy and to have a vibrant and financially stable arts centre serving the people of Sevenoaks and the wider district. It’s our clear expectation that, as public assets are redistributed before the District Council is abolished, the freehold of The Stag will remain locally owned as is the recommendation of the District Council’s Finance and Investment Advisory Committee.

Once this happens the Trustees and new Chief Executive will be able to move forward with a range of ambitious plans that have been developed with architects over the past two years. These include:

• Increasing theatre seating initially to 600
• Improving facilities and access
• Then adding further seating, perhaps to 750, with a fly tower and developing more rehearsal and teaching space.