Soho Theatre today announces the appointment of Lornette Harley to its Board of Trustees. Named by The Voice as ‘one to watch’ 2023 and PR Week’s ’30 under 30’ in 2021, Lornette first worked at Soho Theatre as Press Assistant, from 2015-2017.
She now rejoins as Board member, as the organisation enters a period of ambitious growth. Chaired by Dame Heather Rabbatts DBE, Lornette joins current Soho Theatre Board members Nicholas Allott OBE, David Aukin, Hani Farsi, Fawn James, Shaparak Khorsandi, Jeremy King OBE, Kate Mayne and David Reitman, and Soho Theatre executive team Mark Godfrey and Sam Hansford.
Dame Heather Rabbatts DBE, Soho Theatre Chair said:
“This is a pivotal moment for Soho Theatre as we enter a new era with the launch of our second venue in Walthamstow, alongside ambitious growth plans across our digital platforms and our work with India.
A robust and dynamic board is key in leading us through this next exciting phase of our development.
Lornette brings a wealth of experience across global PR and communications, and diversity and inclusion work, not to mention in-depth knowledge of the organisation as a former employee.
The Soho Theatre Board is looking forward to working with Lornette at this exciting time.”
Lornette Harley, newly appointed Soho Theatre Board member said:
“I love a full circle moment – from Press Assistant to Board member! I’m honoured to have been asked to join as Soho Theatre’s newest Board member and excited to be back in the building.
As a Walthamstonian (might’ve made that word up), this is doubly exciting for me – I now get be a part of the team that’s bringing more new theatre, comedy, and cabaret to my corner of east London – win!
I’m looking forward to joining the team, getting stuck in, and bringing both my lived and professional experience (back) to Dean Street and beyond.”
Currently an Associate Director at communications agency MSL, Lornette was PR Week’s ‘30 under 30’ in 2021 and The Voice’s ‘one to watch’ in 2023.
She started her career as an event manager for weekly live events in Boxpark Shoreditch where she worked with Mercury Prize winner Little Simz and Mercury Prize nominee Kojey Radical amongst others. Following this she became a freelance PR consultant, working with Shan Ako (West End production of Hamilton) and US-based artist Sia Amun.
In 2015 she joined Soho Theatre’s Communications team where she worked on the theatre’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe shows, several UK tours including Vir Das and Jack Rooke, managed press for Soho Rising and ran Soho’s Instagram and Twitter accounts.
She then went on to work at consumer PR agency Talker Tailer Trouble Maker helping to deliver award-winning campaigns for household brands including Mastercard (sponsorship of The BRIT Awards), The Open (Golf) and The Rugby World Cup, Deliveroo (Missing People) and Poundland (Bling Ring).
From there she joined The Unmistakables – an award-winning strategic D&I consultancy which fused her passion for PR with diversity and inclusion, working with brands including Macmillan and Penguin Random House to create inclusive campaigns and cultures.
Now at MSL UK, Lornette has worked with PUMA to create and deliver exciting and culturally relevant campaigns in the UK and develop the brand’s global strategy and comms around sustainability. She currently works on Renault UK – a social first account – and with Coty on Gucci Beauty and others.
Lornette is still wondering when she’s going to make her West End debut as Nala in The Lion King (an ambition since her teenage years) but she’s enjoying creating exciting and culture shifting campaigns in the meantime.