Gavin Stride, Director
Gavin is a leader of cultural organisations: most recently for Farnham Maltings, a nationally regarded arts and community centre which led the town to securing of World Craft City status. Whilst at the Maltings Gavin founded House, a 176-venue network across south-east England that programmes and commissions new work for the region and Caravan, an international development […]
Georgia Newman, Deputy Director
Georgia founded and leads on the Isle of Wight Creative Network, which supports and nurtures creative talent on the Island. For 14 years, Georgia was the Visual Arts Manager for the Isle of Wight’s leading art centre, Quay Arts. She has worked for over ten years as an independent Cultural Consultant, Curator and Creative Producer, working […]
Claire Paul, Cultural Education Partnership Manager
Claire has been an educator within the Arts for over 15 years, across primary and secondary settings and worked as Performer and Choreographer within companies and community projects, giving her a strong understanding of the needs of teachers, young-people and creative professionals alike. In Claire’s role as Manager for the IW Cultural Education Partnership (IW CEP), she […]
Simon Harrison (Chair)
I live in Bonchurch and work as strategy director for an employee owned global professional services firm working in the built environment and international development. I have previous trustee experience of a large engineering charity and am treasurer of St Boniface Parochial Church Council. I’ve had the good fortune to chair numerous boards involving a […]
Nia Collins
I have worked in the arts and education for the past 20 years and am currently the Isle of Wight Music Hub Lead and the Strategic Planning and Programme Manager for Southampton Music Hub. I also have the privilege of chairing the Isle of Wight Cultural Education Partnership. I am passionate about the transformative power […]
Jacque Gazzard
I grew up on the Island, but then left for university and work both abroad and on the big Island. I advised on national and international brand and communications for voluntary organisations in the fields of arts, heritage, tourism and mental health. Since returning to the Island, I have held a few Governor and Trustee […]
Victoria Preston
I have lived on the Isle of Wight since 2014, having spent most of my professional life in Switzerland, working in investment management and as a curator and art collections advisor. I have held a variety of Trustee roles, as Vice President of Art for the World in Geneva, Treasurer of Aspex Visual Arts Trust […]
Franko Figueiredo
I am a gay and genderqueer neuro-divergent artist living with my husband and our dog on the Isle of Wight. I am the co-founder and artistic director of StoneCrabs Theatre Company and I have worked as a stage director, dramaturg and drama facilitator for over 25 years. For this I have trained in Brazil and […]
Jack Whitewood
Jack is the Creative and Development Director (Joint CEO) at Ventnor Exchange, an organisation he co-founded and whose projects include Ventnor Fringe, Brave Island and Ingram’s Yard. A graduate of the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, has previously worked at Hampstead Theatre and site managed touring venues at festivals including Bestival and Shambala. […]
Jacqui Cusack
For many years I worked in the arts in London theatres (Young Vic, Institute of Contemporary Arts and the Royal Shakespeare Company), in PR, Marketing and Education, with a spell backstage in Wardrobe! I then moved sideways into the Design world, working in Finance and Project Management. On moving to Ryde in 1996, I began […]
