Trustees
UK (Global) Board of Trustees
RICHARD MANTLE OBE DL
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Richard Mantle was the General Director of Opera North. His first appointment in the opera field was as Deputy Managing Director at English National Opera, and he has worked atScottish Opera and Edmonton Opera (Canada). He is currently a Director of the National Opera Studio, a member of the General Synod of the Church of England and was awarded an OBE in 2013 for his services to music.
PROF. JAMES THOMPSON
Founder of In Place of War / Academic
Renowned author and Professor of Applied and Social Theatre and Vice President for Social Responsibility at the University of Manchester.
TOM SHORE
International Development & Programmes Specialist
Specialist in programme delivery, advocacy, operations and strategic leadership in the fields of International Development & Culture.
NADIA KHAN
Founder, Women in CTRL
Nadia brings over 20 years of experience in the music industry developing artist careers, talent management and running independent label businesses with a passion for developing talent from the grassroots. An advocate for sharing knowledge and education. As the Founder of Women in CTRL, Nadia is a passionate champion for diversity, equity and inclusion, and her work in promoting gender parity and representation of women in music has been widely recognised, being awarded Outstanding Contribution at the Music Week ‘Women in Music Awards’ in 2021.
GEORGE ADELMAN
Director and Head of Partnerships at FT Strategies
George is Director and Head of Partnerships at FT Strategies and has over 15 years experience in strategy consulting and in-house advisory. Leading strategy development, service design and digital transformation teams, he has advised senior leadership across media industry, public sector and the financial services.
EMMA DE SARAM (BOARD OBSERVER)
Chair of the Youth Advisory Board
Emma is a climate justice activist with a background in grassroots organising and direct action. She participated in 100 Creative Agents of Change, and has worked with Stop Rosebank and Just Stop Oil and as President of Exeter Students’ Union leading on fossil fuel and arms divestment. She is currently studying for a masters degree.
MARIA ACHILLEOS
International Development Specialist
Maria brings over 15 years of experience in international development, specializing in programme and business development. She holds an MA in Conflict, Security, and Development, and has supported youth movements and human rights activists in advocating for change and equality.
ANNA BERENFELD
Financial Philanthropist
Anna’s career sprung from finance into philanthropy across Europe, UK, Russia and the USA. Currently Anna works for Ambassador Ronald S. Lauder on projects around the globe.
DARREN CORMACK
CEO, Mines Advisory Group (MAG)
Darren is CEO of MAG, a global humanitarian charity. Darren holds a first class Master’s in International Management and is an experienced Non-Executive Director. His previous roles include managing a wide range of global environment, conservation & humanitarian projects.
CLAIRE O’NEILL
CEO & Co-Founder of A Greener Future (AGF)
Claire O’Neill is a pioneer in sustainability for the live sector, establishing AGF following her research in 2005. Since then she has worked with the world's leading events and venues such as HM the Queens Platinum Jubilee Pageant, Glastonbury Festival, The O2, BST Hyde Park, UEFA Champions League, ASM Global, AEG and HM the Queens Funeral, and artists such as Bring Me The Horizon and Massive Attack. Claire organises the Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI) & consults as sustainability expert to industry bodies.
CELINA NAIR
Celena is an experienced not for profit leader with a background in international development, specifically the rights of women and girls globally. She has spent most of her career as an international fundraising specialist, and outside of work she has a strong passion for all things related to the arts.
RUCI FIXTER
Strategic Advisor
Ruci Fixter is a strategic adviser specialising in purpose, reputation, and philanthropy. With over two decades’ experienc in international advisory and communications roles, she supports high-net-worth individuals and leaders navigating scrutiny and opportunity. Her work focuses on aligning influence, values, and public presence with meaningful social impact.
Martin Bremner
Head of ZEBOX UKiN
Martin Bremner is the Head of ZEBOX UKiN, a leading international accelerator and innovation hub initated by CMA CGM Group for startups in the supply chain, logistics, energy and mobility sectors. Before joining ZEBOX, Martin worked for Innovate UK as an advisor. Supporting companies within AI, Deep tech and advanced manufacturing, to scale and secure both public & private investment.
JO VIDLER
CO-CEO & Founder AMFE
Jo Vidler is a pioneering entrepreneur who shaped iconic festivals like Wilderness and Secret Garden Party. Formerly elrow’s creative director, she now leads AMFE, providing business strategy and lifestyle offices. Partnering with CircoLoco and Arcadia, Jo continues to drive global cultural IP while mentoring the next generation of creative leaders.
European Board (Ireland)
Olga Stuzhinskaya
International Relations and Development Specialist
A specialist in Eastern Europe, South Caucasus & Central Asia, Olga delivers expertise to the EU, international organisations, governments & NGOs. Areas include good governance, empowerment of civil society, participatory policy making, youth sector development and promotion of gender equality & equal rights.
CLAUDIA JERICHO
Creative Business Architect
Claudia Jericho is a visionary executive with ~30 years of experience in the Cultural & Creative Sectors & Industries (CCSI), specialising in connecting economy and culture. In the last decade, she co-established EIT Culture & Creativity, holding leading roles as well as in CREATIVE.NRW and for GIZ (German Development Association). Collaborating with public institutions and private organisations, Claudia has developed policy frameworks and governance models, structural strategies and innovation projects for creative ecosystems. Her work bridges the arts and business, fostering cross-innovation and emerging trends. Committed to shaping the future of CCSI, she drives growth, collaboration, and sustainable impact across diverse sectors.
Zoë Seaton
Founder & Artistic Director, Big Telly Theatre Company
Big Telly Theatre are at the forefront of digital & hybrid work, with a focus on live, accessible, interactive experiences, and have received wide international acclaim. Zoë has also just launched INCOGNITO - a fragmented reality experience on a mobile app played in towns/cities, which is a cross between live theatre & a multiplayer game. She was awarded an honorary Doctorate from Ulster University for her contribution & commitment to the dramatic arts in Northern Ireland.
Susa Pop
Urban media art curator, producer, and co-founding director of Public Art Lab and the Connecting Cities Network.
Susa Pop is a pioneer in hybrid digital placemaking through interactive urban art projects that foster communication and connect people across digital platforms like urban screens and media facades. She initiates and curates projects for Public Art Lab, including the City Digital Skin Art Festival, Connecting Cities Network, Media Facades Festivals, and others like Digital Calligraffiti and Intelligent Landscapes. Susa also lectures at Bauhaus Universität Weimar on Media Architecture. She co-edited Urban Media Art Cultures: What Urban Media Art Can Do – Why, When, Where, and How?(2018) and co-initiated the globally networked Urban Media Art Academy in 2017 with Tanya Toft Ag and the Goethe-Institut.
