MARINE Theatre trustees say they are standing by their new creative director after it emerged he was dismissed from his previous post for ‘gross misconduct’.

Ian Stephens, who took over at the Lyme Regis theatre this week, was sacked as director of the Jersey Opera House in 2006, following a row over disputed payments to a theatre technician.

He was later cleared of any wrongdoing and a private settlement was reached before it could go before an employment tribunal.

Speaking about his former post Mr Stephen’s said: “The theatre cleared me of any wrongdoing and I had a very positive reference from them once the dust had settled.

“A tribunal is not easy for anybody, whether it be the employer or the individual.

“It was settled by the employer before we even got on with it which showed perhaps that things had gone too far and were stopped in good time before it got to court.”

Lyme theatre managers say they were fully aware of Mr Stephens’ background when they offered him the job.

Trust chairman John Bartholomew said: “We, as trustees, have taken steps to reassure ourselves that Ian is the right appointment for us, by seeing him a second time.

“From a very strong field he was the first choice for trustees and staff throughout the process.

“We also have the benefit of two excellent references. We are both philosophical enough, and experienced enough, to know that we work in a business which is often contentious.”

Mr Bartholomew said Mr Stephens raised the matter during his interview and the main issue was differences between the board and the Jersey government, the main funders.

“After the resignation of the entire board, it became clear that Ian and the new board did not share a vision of the future of the venue,” said Mr Bartholomew.

The chairman is confident Mr Stephens will share their vision for the Lyme Regis theatre and said he is the right person to build on the work done by former artistic director Margie Barbour, who left in August.

Mr Bartholomew added: “Not only is he more than equipped to offer artistic leadership, he brings a strong profile in marketing, a really good sense of what theatre means to a community and, in our situation, absolutely vital experience in managing the interface with funders and arts providers at both the local and national level.”

Mr Stephens already has big plans, including introducing ‘more diverse programming’. He said: “What is good for me is arriving here in Lyme to work with a very positive group of trustees and staff team, who are all looking forward to moving on with the theatre and seeing what else we can achieve for and with the town and surrounding area.

“It is a great opportunity for me to bring the experience I have got running other venues all around the country to a venue which I believe has a very exciting future. I am beginning to map out the kind of things we could put on stage.”

Mr Stephens’ time as director of Jersey Opera House came to a turbulent end after seven years.

Since leaving the island, Mr Stephens has been based in Bristol with wife Maggie, although his stepdaughter Debbie remains there.

In recent years they have run their own company, HPC Theatre, creating theatre projects with young people.

Mr Stephens’ previous experience has included arts marketing at Birmingham Hippodrome and running the Y Theatre in Leicester.

He left to run De Montfort Hall in the same city, also establishing several new festivals, and led the refurbishment of Loughborough Town Hall as a real theatre venue.

Looking ahead, he and his wife are beginning the search for a home in Lyme Regis. “I am really enjoying what I’m seeing,” he said.

“I’m hoping that once people know I am here they will take the opportunity to stop and talk to me about their local theatre.”