As founder and chief executive step down

Big Difference Company, the charity that produces Leicester Comedy Festival, have announced a new leadership team as chief executive Laura Arends and founder Geoff Rowestand down.

Joining the company as CEO will be Michael Harris-Wakelam, who is currently theatre and events manager at the Y Theatre in Leicester. 

Working alongside Michael as festivals and programme director will be Charlotte Laidet, who is currently senior producer at the company.  

Jonathan Kerry, chair of the charity’s trustees said: ‘Michael and Charlotte bring huge experience to these roles and I am excitedly looking forward to the future.  

‘As we celebrate 30 years of Leicester Comedy Festival, as well everything else that Big Difference Company has achieved up to now, we can look forward to the future with confidence and eager expectation of even more good – and funny – things to come.’

Harris-Wakelam said: ‘I look forward to continuing to build on the legacy left by my predecessors, and further establishing the hard work they have already done to become such an integral part of the local community and national platform we provide for new and emerging talent to thrive.’

The company also produces the UK Kids’ Comedy Festival, which runs in Leicester at the same time as the comedy festival.

Published: 2 Feb 2023