Josh Berger CBE Chair of Chickenshed Theatre Trust; Director of American Friends of Chickenshed Expand Josh Berger is President & Managing Director, Warner Bros. UK, Ireland and Spain, overseeing Warner Bros.’ business activities in the three territories, and the President of Harry Potter Global Franchise Development, leading Warner Bros.’ expanded creative partnership with J.K. Rowling. A 27-year veteran of the Studio, he has lived and worked in the UK for 20 years and has been a British citizen since July 2011. Josh is the Chairman of the British Film Institute (BFI), having been a BFI Governor since 2011. He is also a Member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), the Creative Industries Council, and the British Screen Advisory Council; a Council Member of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA); a Director of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences; and the Chair of Chickenshed Theatre Trust. Josh was appointed a CBE in the Queen’s 2012 Birthday Honours List for services to the UK’s creative industries. Josh has been a long-time supporter of Chickenshed and became Chair of the charity in April 2012, after seeing first-hand the sense of purpose and outlet it provides for those involved to express themselves in ways they never thought possible.
Matthew Rose Treasurer and Deputy Co-Chair of Chickenshed Theatre Trust; Treasurer of Chickenshed Property Company; Treasurer of American Friends of Chickenshed Expand Matthew is a Chartered Accountant who is Vice-President - Tax at Seadrill Management Ltd. Matthew and his wife Francesca have been constant and strong supporters of Chickenshed, having their two children in our children’s and youth theatre since 2005, with one now having become a BTEC student. The whole family has been massive ambassadors of the work of Chickenshed, and Francesca - a qualified Speech and Language Therapist - has been a volunteer (sometimes paid) Voice Consultant and coach to Chickenshed for several years. Matthew has been a Director & Treasurer of Chicken Shed Property Company since August 2012. He is also Director/Treasurer of Chickenshed Theatre Trust (since November 2011) & Director/Treasurer of American Friends of Chickenshed since 2013, and a member of our Finance Committee. Matthew gives us many hours of his time & expertise with all finance-related issues.
Susan Kail Director of American Friends of Chickenshed Expand Susan put her daughter Eloise on the Chickenshed waiting list when Eloise was an infant, and has been a strong supporter and volunteer at Chickenshed since Eloise became a member at age six. Eloise has for the year 2015 started university in the US, and counts Chickenshed as one of the most formative influences in her life. Susan and her husband Paul Kramer wish to stay involved and continue to support Chickenshed. Susan is an American citizen who has lived in the UK since 1989. Susan manages global sales accounts for Knoll, an internationally renowned furniture design and manufacturing company.
Paul Kramer President of American Friends of Chickenshed Expand Paul, an American citizen, was introduced to Chickenshed by Susan Kail in 2005, and became a full time Chickenshed step-parent and supporter in 2008 when he moved to the UK to marry Susan. Paul has volunteered as an usher and a set painter, and wishes to continue to support Chickenshed beyond his step-daughter Eloise’ commencement from the programme in 2015. Paul is a Corporate Real Estate Programme Director at Jefferies, and a qualified mechanical engineer.
Elaine Finkletaub Director of American Friends of Chickenshed Expand Elaine’s two children were both raised as active members of the Chickenshed community from the age of six months old. Elaine herself is a lifelong supporter of the arts and has been a regular volunteer at Chickenshed in London among her other philanthropic activities. An avid health and fitness enthusiast, she is certified as a fitness instructor and personal trainer, in various physical and mental disciplines, upon which she built a successful UK private practice. In summer 2016, to support her husband’s appointment of CDO at the New York Public Library, Elaine and the family relocated New York City where she is now working hard to bring Chickenshed and its life-changing approach to inclusivity and diversity to the United States.