OUR TEAM

OUR STAFF TEAM

Miriam Ashon

Project Manager

Who is your favourite artist?

It changes but Billie Zangewa currently for the beautiful textures and colours of her work.

Describe yourself in three words.

Sociable, caring, sentimental.

Dream dinner guest?

Iris Apfel – 102 years of stories to share and an incredible wardrobe for me to nose through!

Email Miriam

Karen Bendell

Head of Corporate Development and Marketing

Who is your favourite artist?

I’ve two, Richard Diebenkorn and Joaquin Sorolla, both are masters of light, once seen, their paintings are hard to forget.

Describe yourself in three words.

Optimistic, inquisitive, sociable.

Dream dinner guest?

Grayson Perry, I imagine he’s be fascinating, inspiring and definitely opinionated. What fun!

Email Karen

Dylan Caines

Impact Executive

Who is your favourite artist?

Kate Bush, because she’s a deeply authentic and creative artist – every album of hers is so rich and unique.

Describe yourself in three words.

Curious, passionate, creative.

Dream dinner guest?

– Brian Eno, because he is an endlessly fascinating thinker, composer and artist. I would love to pick his brains!

Email Dylan

Thisbe Casellini

Development Director (Grants/Major Gifts)

Who is your favourite artist?

Jeremy Deller, because his work is participatory and breaks down barriers.

Describe yourself in three words.

Creative, tidy, overthinker.

Dream dinner guest?

Andy Oliver, chef. Because she would cook a wonderful meal and she’s hilarious.

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Hannah Clayden

Lead Senior Project Manager

Who is your favourite artist?

Barbara Hepworth because she was a brilliant sculptor who knew how to hold her own.

Describe yourself in three words.

‘More coffee please.’

Dream dinner guest?

Toni Morrison because she was a phenomenal writer and I would love to just listen to her talk.

Email Hannah

Sherry Delorino

EA to the Chief Executive / Office Manager

Who is your favourite artist?

Lee K. A greyscale portrait artist and my favourite watercolor artist is Kelogsloops.

Describe yourself in three words.

Creative, empathetic, authentic.

Dream dinner guest?

BTS + Stray Kids – My favourite K-pop groups. There are 15 people in total but they come in a package.

Email Sherry

Wendy Dempsey

Director of Finance & Operations (Outgoing)

Who is your favourite artist?

Matisse. His work is vivid and approachable and he was a theatre designer too!

Describe yourself in three words.

Finance. And. Operations.

Dream dinner guest?

Nelson Mandela. To experience his wit, patience and wisdom.

Email Wendy

Lucia Ferguson

Senior Project Manager

Who is your favourite artist?

One of my favourites is Rana Begum. I love that her abstract sculptures are so colourful and tactile.

Describe yourself in three words.

Positive, hungry, friendly.

Dream dinner guest?

The genie from Aladdin – he’d be so entertaining and hopefully we’d end up doing a musical number together!

Email Lucia

Nicky Goulder MBE

Founding CEO

Who is your favourite artist?

David Hockney. His work is creative, colourful, ground-breaking and thought-provoking.

Describe yourself in three words.

Passionate, compassionate, driven.

Dream dinner guest?

David Attenborough. As a new Climate Reality Leader, I have so many questions!

Email Nicky

Jo Gray

Programmes Manager

Who is your favourite artist?

There’s too many to choose from but Chris Orr, Euan Uglow and Akram Khan are up there!

Describe yourself in three words.

Intentional, creative, friendly.

Dream dinner guest?

Angela Hartnett – so she can teach me how to cook!

Email Jo

Wendy Haines

Project Manager

Who is your favourite artist?

Joni Mitchell. When I was 4 I used to ask my parents to play her records (or so they claim).

Describe yourself in three words.

Excitable, empathetic, daydreamer.

Dream dinner guest?

Bjork. Likely fascinating conversation and she would probably come dressed as the food or one of my childhood pets.

Email Wendy

Han Nwe Htet

Bookkeeper

Who is your favourite artist?

Bob Ross is my favourite artist for his calming presence and the way he inspired my love for landscape painting.

Describe yourself in three words.

Dedicated, optimistic, ambitious.

Dream dinner guest?

I want to eat dinner with Walt Disney to hear his stories, share dreams, and learn what inspired his magical creations.

Email Han

Marima Kamara

Development Officer (Grants)

Who is your favourite artist?

This depends on my mood! But my top 3 right now are, Àsìkò, Daniel Roseberry at Schiaparelli & Aminatta Forna.

Describe yourself in three words.

Inquisitive, versatile, meticulous.

Dream dinner guest?

Beyoncé. She seems fun & her work-ethic, talent & passion for her craft is unparalleled, it would be a great conversation.

Email Marima

Emma Le Pouésard

Project Manager

Who is your favourite artist?

Currently, under the spell of the musician Zaho de Sagazan, the writer Lauren Groff, and the painter Lynette Yiadom-Boakye.

Describe yourself in three words.

Enthusiastic, goofy, industrious.

Dream dinner guest?

Hildegard von Bingen, the medieval polymath. We’d share bread and cheese; she’d perform a monophony and teach me about healing herbs.

Email Emma

Matilda

Project Manager (maternity cover)

Who is your favourite artist?

Suzanne Lacy. I admire her ability to use art to unite communities, spark discussions on tough issues, and amplify unheard voices.

Describe yourself in three words.

Maker, empathetic, inquisitive.

Dream dinner guest?

Peggy Guggenheim would have some great stories of avant-garde artists in 1920s Paris, and ensuring their legacy by collecting artwork during WWII.

Email Matilda

Manfred Meyer

Director of Finance & Operations (Incoming)

Who is your favourite artist?

Henri Rousseau, I love the fantastical figures in dreamlike landscapes. Also: he was self-taught.

Describe yourself in three words.

Precise, thoughtful, adventurous.

Dream dinner guest?

Luca Pacioli, the inventor of double-entry bookkeeping in 1494 – a genius. Dinner with time-travel – it’s just a dream.

Email Manfred

Sonia Peart

Finance Manager

Who is your favourite artist?

Vincent Van Gogh. He cut off his left ear when tempers flared with another artist. He was a beautiful colourful artist.

Describe yourself in three words.

Happy, kind, caring.

Dream dinner guest?

Michael Jackson. He was a great artist who transformed the art of music videos in the 1990s.

Email Sonia

Joe Petts

Development Manager (Grants)

Who is your favourite artist?

A difficult question, but it would be Lynne Drexler for her technical and intriguing exploration of shape, colour, and landscapes.

Describe yourself in three words.

Methodical, Considerate, Hard-working.

Dream dinner guest?

Stanley Tucci: I’ve recently read his memoir on food and life. Despite being the guest, he would also be the chef for the night!

Email Joe

Kristian Sakulku

Director of Programmes

Who is your favourite artist?

Donald Glover. Amazing writer, musician, actor – a truly multifaceted artist.

Describe yourself in three words.

Efficient.

Dream dinner guest?

Jackie Chan. I’d be in for good stories, jokes and food.

Email Kristian

Hannah Smith

Project Manager

Who is your favourite artist?

It’s hard to choose, but Christopher Wheeldon – he’s a brilliant storyteller, and I love how musical his choreography is.

Describe yourself in three words.

Chatty, resilient, enthusiastic.

Dream dinner guest?

My great-great-great-great grandmother, to see if we have anything in common!

Email Hannah

Sadie Smith

Project Manager (maternity leave)

Who is your favourite artist?

Peter Brook – he was a pioneer for sight specific theatre, ensembles and active audiences – the kind of work I love.

Describe yourself in three words.

Funny, friendly, messy.

Dream dinner guest?

Vivienne Westwood – she’s an icon and would have some amazing stories.

Email Sadie

Esme Stewart

Communications Executive

Who is your favourite artist?

The painter Colleen Barry because she bridges the gap between traditional and modern painting techniques in a really engaging way!

Describe yourself in three words.

Sociable, Collaborative, Resourceful

Dream dinner guest?

Nan Goldin. I’d love to hear her stories and insights on turning life’s raw moments into meaningful, unforgettable art!

Email Esme

Jazzy Usiskin

Project Administrator

Who is your favourite artist?

Rirkrit Tiravanija – I like how his participatory work unites people, centring on communal traditions like cooking to bring people together 

Describe yourself in three words.

Creative, Calm, Empathetic

Dream dinner guest?

Fela Kuti – He’d bring the party and would have some unforgettable stories

Email Jazzy

Clare Williams

Senior Project Manager

Who is your favourite artist?

Aretha Franklin for her magical voice; David Hockney for his bright, colourful art; Lin-Manuel Miranda for his amazing creative mind.

Describe yourself in three words.

Passionate, thoughtful, sociable

Dream dinner guest?

Ian McKellen. He’s incredibly talented and has worked with so many amazing people – I’d love to hear his anecdotes.

Email Clare

Philip Ybring

Director of Communications

Who is your favourite artist?

Eiichiro Oda, for creating a wondrous world of vibrant stories for almost three decades.

Describe yourself in three words.

Honest, creative, hopeful.

Dream dinner guest?

Swedish singer Håkan Hellström. I love his music and he seems like a friendly guy.

Email Philip

Our ambassadors

Eddie Donaldson OBE
Alistair DK Johnston CMG

Our Youth Ambassador

Abi (18) – Read her story

Our trustees

John Broadis, Retired Head Teacher
Tony Cates, (Chair), Non-Executive Director
Holly Khan, Composer/Facilitator
Marit Meyer-Bell, Head of Communications, Travis Perkins plc
Vanessa Sharp (Company Secretary), Solicitor, Non-Executive Director, Jeweller
Paul Thimont (Treasurer), CFO, White Cube
Carol Topolski, Writer
Simone Wright, Deputy Head Teacher, Alexandra School

Our creative council

James Baldwin, Actor and Playwright
John Broadis (Chair), Retired Head Teacher
Alicia Clarke, Photographer
Chloe Cooper, Visual Artist
Holly Khan, Composer/Facilitator
Amy Leung, Visual Artist
Holly Marland, Kora Player, Singer, Composer
Mike Poyser, Musician
Joe Rizzo Naudi, Writer

our communications council

Jonny Breeze, Founder and Director, Yellow Cat Recruitment
Rishi Dastidar, poet, copywriter and brand strategist
Hayley Granston, Commercial and Partnerships Director, formerly Beano, Hearst and BBC
Lisa Jedan, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Culture3
Jessica Kelly, Digital Marketing Manager, Orlebar Brown
Paul Kemp-Robertson, Co-founder, Contagious
Marit Meyer-Bell (Chair), Head of Communications, Travis Perkins plc
John Waterfield, Director Strategic Relationships, KPMG

our honorary advisory council

Sir Peter Estlin, 691st Lord Mayor of the City of London, City of London Alderman, Senior Advisor at Barclays Bank UK plc
Tim Robertson, Chief Executive, The Anne Frank Trust UK
Colin Sheaf, Consultant, Bonhams
Emily Stubbs, Director of Development, Britten Pears Arts

Our Finance & General Purposes Council

Vanessa Sharp, Solicitor, Non-Executive Director, Jeweller
Paul Thimont, CFO, White Cube