About Me

I’ve always had a deep passion for the arts. Beyond its obvious beauty, I love its power to transform lives, how it can challenges authority, raises awareness of an issue, comments on society or brings about social change. Equally I love to research, plan and organise. It is no surprise to many, that I have ended up where I am today.  I have been both the artist and arts manager, which gives me a unique insight and sympathetic understanding of the nuances between both worlds. 

​

I have 34 years experience working in the arts and cultural sector. I consider myself a Social Entrepreneur having given considerable time to local charities, training volunteers, and offering equal opportunities to children and young people. In May 2008 I founded a children's arts education charity and Brave was born in 2012. During this time I have gained many valuable connections with artists funders, event suppliers, key community stakeholders, business mentors, creatives and business sponsors. I gained a Higher Education Certificate in Media & Cultural Studies in 1999. I received a higher level Bachelors Degree in Arts & Events Management in 2007 and gained a Masters with Distinction in Cultural & Arts Management at Winchester University in 2019. I plan on continuing my studies with a practical - based PhD.  I am particularly interested in how, in a climate emergency, we can preserve stories of indigenous islanders. Since 2009 I have worked in partnership with BA (Hons) Creative Events Management Course to mentor 2nd Year Interns and as a Lecturer to International Students at Middlesex University. I have delivered lectures on Ethics is Research, Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Business Models in the third-sector.

​

My long-term commitment to Charity was recognised by Her Majesty the Queen via The Queens Award 2016. I have managed a range of events that include weekly club nights in Bournemouth (Madison's, Rivals, The Outer Limits) and London (Fabric), a dance festival for 10,000 people in Canada, themed Charity Gala Balls, Community Fireworks Events and Parades, Festival Weddings, themed birthday parties. I have co-produced and directed large scale Coastal & Town Bid Events such as The Great Exhibition. of Boscombe to encourage cultural tourism and increase footfall. I worked in partnership with the Shelley Trust as Creative Director to produce a National Lottery funded Festival. During this year long festival I collaborated with 50 artists and eight community and statutory partners in Bournemouth to jointly deliver and celebrate the work of local literary icon, Mary Shelley in The Shelley Frankenstein Festival.  

​

As an artists myself, inspired by my travels, I have developed an outreach pop-up cultural arts project in partnership with Creative Kids to bring willow sculpture and shadow puppetry to a wider festival audience. This project has toured many national arts festivals in the UK including The Isle of Wight, Curious Arts, Colourfest, Rhythm Tree, and The Great Wonderfest.

I am a skilled fundraiser and bid writer having raised over £1,000,000 for Charity since 2009.

I gained a Certificate of SSE Fellowship in 2020 from The London School of Social Entrepreneurs.

​

I am a qualified Arts Award Advisor delivering Discover, Explore, Bronze, Silver & Golds Awards to Children & Young People. I have recently become a Drawing & Talking Therapist and manage a team of Therapists working 1:1 with children suffering from trauma.

​

I am registered disabled so need to manage my pain carefully, but as you can see, I do not let this define me or prevent me from achieving my dreams.

​

If you would like to work creatively with me please do give me a call to discuss your project!

​