THE Wyvern Theatre has appointed a new director for the second time this year.

Laura James will take on the top job from today after being promoted from her previous post as the theatre's marketing and sales manager. Ms James will be in charge of overseeing all operations at both the Wyvern Theatre in the town centre and the Swindon Arts Centre in Old Town.

Laura said: "I’m hugely excited to take on the new role and look forward to developing the programme and operation across the two venues into the future. We’re blessed with a fantastic team of committed and enthusiastic staff members at the Wyvern and Arts Centre and that, combined with the wonderful Swindon audiences who continue to flock to see shows here, makes the job a pleasure. I cannot wait to get started."

Laura's predecessor Robert Miles joined the team in January but stepped down as theatre director after just two months. He said at the time: "The difficult decision to leave my post at Swindon Theatres was made for personal reasons."

Before that, Derek Aldridge oversaw operations at the theatre for almost a decade, helping it celebrate its 40th anniversary and undergo £200,000 of renovations.

HQ Theatres and Hospitality CEO Julian Russell said: “We are delighted that Laura will be progressing into the role of theatre director. Laura has worked at the Wyvern Theatre in a variety of roles across 11 years, most recently in the marketing team where she has overseen continued growth in attendances, audience engagement and community outreach.

"She has been instrumental in developing the operation of the venue as a key member of the senior team alongside Derek Aldridge, the previous long-standing theatre director.

"It is especially pleasing when we are able to appoint to senior roles internally. Our people are key to our success and I have every confidence that Laura will make a superb theatre director.”