Henk Kivits Steps Down as CEO of Stage Entertainment Group Today

Joop Van Den Ende and Henk Kivits have jointly agreed that Mr Kivits will step down as CEO of Stage Entertainment Group today, 31 July 2013. Mr Kivits decided not to accept Joop Van Den Ende's offer to extend his contract as CEO of the interNational Theatre Company by an additional two years. Kivits has been CEO since 1 August 2007.

Henk Kivits: 'After six fantastic and very dynamic years working for Stage Entertainment in eight countries I realised that the very demanding responsibilities of the position had taken a heavy toll on me. After careful consideration I concluded that now is the right time to pass the responsibility for the company's future growth on to my successor.'

Joop Van Den Ende: 'Henk Kivits has played a key role in the development of the company and we are grateful to him for his many contributions. I understand the weight of the CEO position and respect his decision to pass on the responsibility. This will give him the opportunity to pursue new activities in his impressive career.'

On 1 August Peter O'Keeffe will succeed Henk Kivits as CEO of the worldwide company. Stage Entertainment will then be managed by Peter O'Keeffe (CEO), Siebe van Elsloo (CFO), Stephanie Hosman (Ticketing & Restructuring) and Joop Van Den Ende (Chairman and President), together with Ewald Kist, Aat Schouwenaar, Janine van den Ende and Joop Munsterman as supervisors.

Joop Van Den Ende: 'Throughout my life I have been keen on spotting talent, not only with regard to performing artists. Within the company on the management side, I also want to create opportunities for people with extraordinary qualities. Peter O'Keeffe is a good example. He has worked with us for many years in various countries and he knows the company extremely well. In addition to his business insight, he also has extensive experience in the international live entertainment business. I am fully confident that with these qualities he will become an excellent CEO for the company.'

Peter O'Keeffe was born in England and worked at the Walt Disney Company in Paris for ten years before joining Stage Entertainment in 2001 where he was responsible for its Holiday on Ice productions. Following a two-year engagement as International Executive Producer at Clear Channel Entertainment, O'Keeffe returned to Stage Entertainment in 2007. As Director Productions and International Executive Producer, he was responsible for all musical productions at Stage Entertainment in Spain and, as of 2011, in the Netherlands. In October 2012, O'Keeffe joined the Group's Board of Directors.