Adrian Vinken

Adrian Vinken is Chief Executive of the Theatre Royal Plymouth, the largest regional producing theatre in the UK, and Plymouth Pavilions, a large-scale entertainment, arts and leisure complex. 

From 2000 to 2006 Adrian was Chair of Culture South West appointed by the Secretary of State to lead the Culture Sector in the South West of England.  He was awarded an OBE in 2006.

Adrian embarked on an academic career at Sheffield University, tutoring in Philosophy and researching Evolutionary Theory before turning his attention to found and direct the pioneering Leadmill Arts Centre and music venue in a derelict flour mill in Sheffield City Centre.  The success of the Leadmill in catalysing the growth of Sheffield’s Cultural Industries Quarter led to a series of other inner city heritage and regeneration projects marrying commercial and community objectives.

Adrian is currently Chief Executive of the Theatre Royal Plymouth, the largest regional producing theatre in the country, and Plymouth Pavilions, a large-scale entertainment, arts and leisure complex.  Since Adrian’s move to Plymouth, the Theatre Royal has become both the best attended and most prolific producing theatre in the UK, producing over thirty shows that have transferred to the West End and many more to tour the country.  The Theatre Royal’s studio theatre, the Drum, is dedicated to presenting new writing, commissions and physical theatre.  In 2008 the Drum was judged by the country’s leading theatre critics to be the best new writing theatre in the UK.

Adrian has recently led the development of the radical TR2 building, the largest theatrical production, education and training facility in Europe, on the waterfront in Plymouth. He also currently chairs the National Touring Partnership, is a Governor of Plymouth University and a Director of The Lowry Centre Salford.  Adrian’s past honorary responsibilities have included chairing the National Association of Arts Centre's and the Arts Development Association. 

He enjoys distance running, fell walking and mountain climbing.