We are thrilled to welcome new trustees that will bolster the skillset of our current board.

 

Berta Maia

Berta Maia has over 20 years of experience in Finance, working in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors, including large international organisations in several countries. After her children were born, she changed careers to become a part-time Maths teacher. She is also a Governor at Greenbank Primary School and is passionate about using her skills to support her community.

“I’m thrilled to join the board and use my background in finance and education to support Unity in connecting people through creative experiences that reflect the world around us, highlight underrepresented voices, and inspire positive change.”  

Daniel Bye

Daniel Bye is a writer, director and theatremaker from the north east of England, now based in Lancashire. His plays have won multiple awards and toured extensively across the UK and internationally.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the board of Unity, a theatre I’ve toured to many times over the years. Everything about the theatre is close to my heart, from the warm intimacy of the auditoria to the clear-eyed commitment to telling untold stories and giving voice to the voiceless.”

Ezequiel Serrano

Ezequiel is a graduate of The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), holding a BA in Music, Theatre & Entertainment Management. His journey with Unity Theatre began as a student, where he immersed himself both front-of-house and backstage, producing student shows that laid the foundation for his ongoing commitment to arts management. Following graduation, he built a diverse career in theatre marketing and communications, working for organisations like Everyman and Playhouse Theatres, AKA Promotions, The Other Palace, The London Palladium and the Young Vic. Currently, Ezequiel leads on service design work at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), driving digital transformation initiatives for government services with a focus on user-centred design, accessibility, inclusion, and measurable impact.

As a Trustee, Ezequiel hopes to bring his passion for accessible, inclusive, and equitable user experiences to Unity’s mission, supporting creative spaces where everyone can belong, participate, and thrive.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Unity’s board, a theatre that holds an incredibly special place in my heart as a creative hub and a place that shaped my professional journey. My connection with Unity began 14 years ago, back when I was a student in Liverpool eager to learn about the industry. Unity quickly became a safe space for me to develop my skills and build the foundations for my career, and I will always be grateful to them for these opportunities. Having witnessed first-hand Unity’s passion, inclusivity, and transformative impact, I couldn’t be more excited to help shape its next chapter. I look forward to supporting Unity in contributing to Liverpool’s vibrant cultural scene and empowering the next generation of artists and audiences.”

 

Mike Cavanagh

Mike Cavanagh is Founder of Merseyside based coaching, culture and communications consultancy, SatoriConsulting.uk. Mike has worked in senior communications and L&D roles for global portfolio groups, public sector organisations and been a board member to community-based arts and mental health charities. His specialties include helping embed change, empowering leadership performance, delivering impactful communication campaigns, and supporting organisations to achieve their full potential. Mike has previously been a board member for Unity between 2016 and 2021 and is delighted to be back on the board at this exciting time. Mike’s artistic interests include digital art and design, performance poetry and has previously acted in plays on Unity’s stage.

Uzair Patel

Uzair is a chartered accountant and senior finance professional with over a decade of experience in global banking. He is a Non-Executive Director within the NHS and a board member at Torus Foundation. Uzair has previously held board roles at the national domestic-violence and abuse charity, SafeLives, as well as at KCLSU. In the latter role he became one of the youngest board members in the UK aged 25. Uzair was co-creator of the award-winning #ThisIsMe mental-health campaign at Barclays, and across the City of London, in partnership with the Lord Mayor of London.

“Having been a decade since I last appeared on stage, leading a production by King’s College London’s alumni theatre society, I’m excited to trade treading the boards for the boardroom at Unity Theatre. In that decade the arts have faced significant cuts in funding, and a broader decline in audience numbers. It’s important to ensure that Unity carries on as a beacon for community oriented theatre, a space for artistic experimentation and development, and a place where joy can be an act of community resistance.”

 

Samantha Birkett (she/her)

Samantha is the HR Manager at Hope Street hotel and its sister School Lane hotel, leading all areas of people management and learning and development and is a member of the hotels’ senior management team. Samantha has more than 20 years HR experience, previously working as the HR Manager at The Liverpool Philharmonic with particular emphasis on the inclusivity and relevance strategy and as Head of HR at Liverpool John Moores University, overseeing the HR business partner, recruitment and occupational health functions and the employee relations and mediation services.

She has previous experience as a board member and trustee at WHISC (Women’s Health Information Support Centre) which is a voluntary Liverpool based organisation aiming to promote heath and training opportunities to women from disadvantaged communities.

Samantha holds an undergraduate degree, an MBA, and a master’s degree in human resource management. She is also a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD) and is currently studying towards a doctoral qualification.

I am absolutely delighted to join the Unity Board of Trustees. Unity Theatre continues to play such a significant and important role in the arts and culture community of Liverpool and I look forward to working with the Unity team to achieve their ambitious strategy.

 

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