Footnote Dance Trust Board appointments
2025 has seen some new faces joining the small but mighty team on the Footnote Dance Trust Board, as well as the farewelling some longstanding members.
L-R: Louise Jakeway (Footnote General Manager), Paul Conway, Bryna O’Brien (Chair), Anita Hunziker (Footnote Artistic Director), Charles McGuinness, Jessica Godfrey, Jeremy Beck (Associate), Miranda Manasiadis. (Not Picutured: Kiri Richards).
The end of 2024 saw longtime Board Chair Frank Freemantle step down from the board after many years of dedicated service. The hard work and support that Frank offered Footnote over his tenure was celebrated at the 2025 programme launch, as well as the appointment of Bryna O’Brien as new Board Chair.
Also recently farewelled were Board Members Richard Aindow and Takiri Coterill. Both have been exceptional supporters of the company both on and off the board. Congratulations to Richard for his recent appointment as General Manager of The Court Theatre, as a past General Manager for Footnote we know that he will be an invaluable team member for them.
New Appointments
Warm welcome to the newest appointments to the Footnote Dance Trust Board, Jessica Godfrey and Paul Conway.
Born and bred Wellingtonian, Jessica has law and arts degrees from Victoria University and is passionate about everything that makes the capital city special particularly the arts. She has worked in senior leadership positions - spanning marketing, finance and general management- for several iconic Poneke businesses L’affare, Prefab and Acme, Coffee Supreme, Vic Books and Wellington Chocolate Factory.
Paul is Chief Economist at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, where he leads the Economics Department and is a public voice on inflation, monetary policy, and the big forces shaping our economy. Before that, he worked across both the public and private sectors in New Zealand, running research agendas and making economics real for people — all part of a long-standing quest to help lift economic performance in Aotearoa.
Associate Board Member 2025
Photo: Sarah Booher
The purpose of the Associate Board member position is for Footnote to contribute to building succession capability in Aotearoa arts governance. This role will allow the associate to gain valuable insights and practical experience in the functions of an arts board and for the board to support them on their leadership journey. Professional development in our community is something that Footnote are passionate about, which is why we are proud to announce the appointment of choreographer & dancer Jeremy Beck as the 2025 Associate Board Member.
Born in Ōtepoti Aotearoa, Jeremy Beck is a distinguished graduate of the New Zealand School of Dance and an established freelance contemporary dance performer, choreographer, and teacher of Ngāi Tahu and Pākehā descent.
Throughout his career, Jeremy has worked professionally across Aotearoa and Australia with leading companies and independent artists, including The New Zealand Dance Company, Footnote New Zealand Dance, Muscle Mouth, Atamira, TOHU Productions, Movement of the Human, Dancenorth, Chunky Move, Ross McCormack, Tupua Tigafua, Sean MacDonald, Moss Patterson, and Lucy Guerin. His ability to bring depth and physicality to highly diverse choreographic voices has made him a sought-after collaborator in the industry.
You can read more about our fantastic board members here.