The Royal Exchange Theatre has announced the appointment of Rachel Quinney as its new Director of Producing.
Rachel will join the company in August 2026, during the theatre’s 50th anniversary year, from her current role as Senior Producer at the Donmar Warehouse.
The Director of Producing is a key part of the Royal Exchange Theatre’s executive leadership team and is responsible for the delivery of all Royal Exchange Theatre productions. Overseeing the producing and production teams they will realise the theatre’s artistic ambitions, develop strategic partnerships and support audience engagement.
Royal Exchange Theatre Artistic Director and Co-CEO, Selina Cartmell said:
“In the Royal Exchange Theatre’s 50th anniversary year Rachel’s appointment will be instrumental in leading our producing department and all our artist-led work, harnessing new opportunities for the next chapter locally, nationally, and internationally. Rachel brings an inspiring range of experience and passion to our producing team and we all look forward enormously to working with her.”
Rachel Quinney comments:
“I’m delighted to be joining Selina, Sheena and the whole Royal Exchange team in the 50th anniversary year of this unique and magical theatre. Growing up just across the Pennines I was always excited to travel over to Manchester for a Royal Exchange show, and I’m thrilled that I’ll now be heading up the Producing team, and helping to continue to deliver artistic excellence in this incredible space.”
Rachel Quinney is a theatre producer with almost 20 years of experience across producing, planning, and arts administration.
Born in Dundee and raised in Sheffield, she studied at Bristol University before beginning her career at the National Theatre.
After holding roles in the organisation’s Production and Planning departments, she made her first move into producing with Paines Plough and subsequently served as Head of Administration at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre for four seasons.
She later returned to the National Theatre as Head of Planning and was invited to remain with the organisation as Producer, leading on a wide range of productions including The Jungle, Hadestown, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Our Generation, The Father and the Assassin, The Crucible, Standing at the Sky’s Edge, The Motive and the Cue, Dear England and The Witches.
