Our new Chair of Trustees

We’re delighted to announce Nick Sweeting as the new Chair of Trustees at Zoo Co. 

Nick joined the Zoo Co Board in May 2024. He’s an independent producer who has worked with a wide range of artists and organisations over the last 35 years; in 2025 he produced the UK Tour of Jennifer Jackson’s WrestleLadsWrestle, and Jessica Wilson’s exhibition I See You Like This.

He co-founded Improbable in 1996 and produced all their work until he left the company in June 2020. Over that period he also worked with, amongst others: Stan’s Café, Told by an Idiot, Mark Bruce Company, dreamthinkspeak, London International Festival of Theatre, The British Council, Nada Theatre (France), Mouthpeace (South Africa) and Wierzalin Theatre (Poland). Since then he has worked with a range of independent artists including Javaad Alipoor and Tim Casson, and continues his consultancy and Open Space Facilitation work.

Nick said:  

‘I feel deeply privileged and really excited to be taking on the Chair position at Zoo Co. Ever since I first encountered the team in the initial workshops for Perfect Show for Rachel I have been bowled over by their energy and commitment to creating bold, ambitious work that truly challenges what theatre can be. I’m really looking forward to the company’s next phase as the national tour of Perfect Show continues and we dive into a series of R&Ds for new projects.’  

Flo O’Mahony, Zoo Co’s Artistic Director and CEO said:

‘I’m thrilled to have Nick Sweeting stepping into the Chair role for Zoo Co’s next chapter of work. Nick is a kind, tenacious and innovative producer with a wealth of experience to help drive the artistic quality, integrity and reach of our work, and the type of heart needed to steer an organisation like Zoo Co. 

Nick’s previous work at Improbable, and now with incredible independent theatre artists who challenge the status quo, helps us keep a throughline of connection to practices that have shaped and informed so much of our creative process and ethos; that whoever comes are the right people, that whatever happens is the only thing that could have, the agency of ‘the law of two feet’ and a move towards less hierarchical practices.

This way we can make art where everybody feels welcome, and we can create conditions for electric, alive theatre to thrive. I can’t wait to collaborate with Nick as we step into ambitious new projects that are equal parts exciting and scary. We are so lucky to have him on board.’

Nick succeeds Ellie Claughton, who served as Chair for five years; we’re hugely grateful for all her hard work and support over that time. Nick will lead our Board of seven Trustees into 2026 and beyond. Head here to learn more about them.