The National Saturday Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Angela McDermott to the newly created post of Chief Operating Officer. Angela is a qualified accountant with a BSc in Psychology, bringing over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and creative sectors. This is an important new role for the Saturday Club Trust. The COO will work closely with Chief Executive Lucy Kennedy to drive forward the organisation’s ambitious growth strategy, ensuring that we reach more young people across the UK while maintaining long-term sustainability and streamlined operational processes and systems.

The National Saturday Club has seen significant growth in recent years, expanding our network from 74 Saturday Clubs in 2021 to 130 in the academic year 2024-25. We are committed to continuing this expansion to reach even more young people, made possible by a growing network of funders and supporters who recognise the transformative impact of this work.

With growth comes increased operational and financial complexity, necessitating the creation of the COO role to oversee and lead our organisation’s financial and operational functions. This role is vital for meeting the expanding demands sustainably without compromising the quality of the National Saturday Club programme. It is critical for managing increased complexity and ensuring that robust systems, improved processes, and cost efficiencies are in place to support scalable growth.

Angela joins the National Saturday Club from the National Theatre, where she served as Finance Director, and has previously held senior management roles at The Shakespeare Globe Trust, Cancer Research UK, and other prominent organisations. Angela also held the position of Trustee (2017 to 2020) at Eclipse Theatre Company, a black-led theatre company that produces and presents new work by Black and Global Majority creatives.

In her new role, Angela will oversee finance, data and IT, risk management, legal affairs, HR and culture, as well as premises. Her responsibilities will also include operational oversight in areas such as health and safety and safeguarding. Her focus will be on long-term financial and operational planning, providing strategic leadership and cultivating a workplace culture that embodies our values, emphasising equity, diversity, and inclusion as the organisation grows.

On her appointment as Chief Operating Officer, Angela said, “I’m hugely excited to be joining the National Saturday Club during this period of growth. I’m looking forward to leading the organisation’s financial and operational functions, ensuring that it has robust systems as well as effective and efficient processes in place to meet its ambitious expansion plans. Having attended the Summer Show this year, I not only experienced the brilliant work created by the Club members but also the positive impact of being part of the National Saturday Club is having on these young people.”

Chair of the Board, Nigel Carrington, commented:
“As the number and range of our Clubs continues to grow, Angela’s appointment as our first COO marks a further step change in our carefully planned development across all four nations of the UK. Angela’s extensive experience in both the cultural and commercial sectors will ensure that we continue to manage our growth efficiently and to explore new opportunities to deliver the widest possible range of creative experiences and industry connections to many more young people across the UK.”

Lucy Kennedy, Chief Executive of the National Saturday Club, commented:
“This appointment marks a significant milestone in the National Saturday Club’s expansion. I am delighted to welcome Angela to our leadership team as we work to expand access for young people to take part in the National Saturday Club for free. Angela’s extensive expertise in operational and financial management will be invaluable as we strategically grow our network and ensure a sustainable future for the organisation. I know the entire team looks forward to benefitting from her guidance and leadership as we advance our mission together.”