BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Hailing from a Black Country family, Duncan was born in Birmingham and grew up in Walsall. He has worked as a journalist, mostly for the BBC, for more than 30 years, firstly in sports news and more recently in local and regional news in the West Midlands. As a sports journalist, Duncan reported on major events around the world and says his most memorable assignment was to South Africa for the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Duncan is an active volunteer and campaigner on behalf of Alzheimer’s Society, the country’s largest dementia charity. He is a former Trustee of the Society and is also on the Board of Sport United Against Dementia. Alongside his work at The Grand, Duncan is also a director of the Cyrille Regis Legacy Trust.

Duncan’s first visit to The Grand was in 1969 for the pantomime Dick Whittington and he has been a lover of theatre ever since. Although never a performer, he has close links to the West Bromwich Operatic Society and is the Society’s current President.

As well as spending time visiting the theatre and listening to music, Duncan enjoys watching all sports. Whisper it quietly round here, but Duncan is a lifelong supporter of West Bromwich Albion.

An experienced Project Management professional and Entrepreneur with a history of successful delivery in the construction, real estate and professional services industries. A graduate of Loughborough University with a BSc Hons degree in Construction Management.

Samuel spent the initial part of his career working for a large FTSE 250 listed UK Construction company, working on prestigious capital projects across the UK and Middle East before spending a period of time with Ernst & Young in London within their Programme Advisory team.  In 2018 Samuel set up the award winning Savesta Construction Ltd to focus on providing clients with an open and honest approach to construction main contracting across the West Midlands & Shropshire.

Originally from West Yorkshire, Sam now lives with his wife and son on the outskirts of Shrewsbury where he enjoys managing his small holding, undertaking property renovations, walking the dog and appreciates the occasional pint of real ale.

Kiri joins the board after working extensively with Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in her role of Head of Partnerships at The National Theatre, London.

Kiri has extensive experience in audience development and youth engagement, with a strong focus on building meaningful connections between Arts Organisations and diverse communities. She has led initiatives that expand audience reach, foster participation, and create inclusive programs designed to inspire and empower young people, the most recent being the National Theatre’s Speak Up Programme.

Dr Ranjit Khutan is an education, research and management consultant specialising in higher education, public health and the arts and culture sectors.

Ranjit has more than twenty-five years of senior experience in higher education, where he has led public health teaching, research and international partnerships. Alongside this, he serves as a Director of the UK Public Health Register, contributing to the strategic oversight of professional standards, registration processes and the development of the wider public health workforce. He is also joint West Midlands Regional Coordinator for South Asian Heritage Month, supporting work that celebrates the richness and diversity of South Asian cultures and strengthens understanding across communities.

Nuala O’Kane is Chair of Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, which operates 4 community hospitals and also provides a range of community based health services for adults and children across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

She was the  CEO of the Donna Louise Trust Children’s Hospice in Stoke on Trent from 2007 until 2014. Prior to that she was the Director of Fundraising at Hope House Children’s Hospice from 1994 until 2007. Nuala worked in the voluntary sector for over 30 years for a number of different organisations.

Nuala was a Councillor on Telford and Wrekin Council for 12 years until 2003. She held a number of leading roles during this time and was the first person to be elected to the position of Speaker of the Council in 2002.

Nuala has a long and affectionate relationship with the Grand Theatre, going back many years. Her love of live theatre was borne out of her regular attendance at the Grand from a very young age as her Grandmother ran the sweetshop attached to the Theatre, which led to her lifelong passion for the performing arts.

Major’s home and work life has predominately been within and around the West Midlands. Being born in Wolverhampton and remaining in the local area all his life, he has always been keen to be involved in initiatives to support the regeneration of the local communities.

Major has held various senior positions influencing business strategy as a qualified Chartered Accountant (ICEAW), Corporate Treasurer (AMCT) and a Chartered Tax Advisor (CIOT).

Major graduated from the University of Wolverhampton with a BA Hons in Business Studies & excelled in his professional qualifications.

Whilst at Ernst & Young, Major quickly developed to senior roles. He moved to, and has been with Muller since 2003, where he holds the position of Tax Director and has overall responsibility in leadership of the Tax and Customs departments. Major has gained substantial experience covering and excelling in the full range of Tax and Financing issues faced within large corporate organisations. His current role has allowed him to be a prominent figure and a source of expertise covering the plethora of tax issues across, and associated with, International Tax.

Major is married with two sons, all living and working within Wolverhampton.

In his spare time, Major is into his fitness and is a keen cyclist and runner. Always remaining active in sports activities for young adults in various capacities, including coach & treasurer for a local football club. He is a keen supporter of Wolverhampton Wanderers, proudly holding a season ticket for many years.

Bridget is an award-winning lawyer, leading Browne Jacobson LLP’s Birmingham Insurance Casualty team advising private and public sector clients on risk, regulation and claims. Bridget is passionate about opening access to opportunity for all and co-chairs the firm’s DEI Committee.

Bridget chairs the board of trustees at the African Caribbean Community Initiative, a mental health charity supporting marginalised communities in Wolverhampton and the Black Country, which has developed a flourishing partnership with The Grand Theatre. Bridget also Chairs the Advisory Board for Black Inclusion Week, which is a national and international event which takes place in May of each year.

She became the President of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers in November 2025.

Born and educated in Wolverhampton, Anne-Marie qualified as a chartered accountant joining Price Waterhouse (PWC) where she spent over 6 years specialising in company taxation. Her first move into industry was to a large automotive group based in the Black Country with sites all over the UK. Whilst there she set up an Industry Tax Group comprised of similar individuals working in other listed companies around the Midlands. Through that group she found her next employment with The Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries (Marstons), job sharing with the then tax manager. She took the opportunity to become Deputy to the Company Secretary and after a period of intensive study for the Chartered Secretary exams, she was appointed Company Secretary in 2004- a position she held for 18 years until stepping down in 2022. During that time she played a key supporting role in numerous transformational events in the company’s history – from its name change in 2007, through many acquisitions and corporate financing transactions to the disposal of the beer business to a new joint venture with Carlsberg UK. She also advised the Board on succession planning and was part of the team responsible for appointing two new Chairmen, a new CEO and CFO. She was one of the drivers of the Company evolving its Environmental, Social and Governance focus.

She qualified as CMI level 3 coach and mentor in 2013, keen to help colleagues develop and grow. In addition to her role at Marston’s, Anne-Marie served as a director and member of the education Committee at The Wolverhampton Grammar School for 6 years and also sat as an Advisory Board member to the University of Wolverhampton Business School for 9 years.

A lover of the outdoors, Anne-Marie enjoys playing tennis, walking, reading and the arts.