South West Area Council
Meet the members of our South West Area Council
Meet the members of our South West Area Council
Helen Birchenough
South West Area Chair
Trustee of Wiltshire Creative, Non-executive director of Messums Wiltshire
Helen has been involved in the arts and education in Wiltshire for twenty years. She was Chair of both the Salisbury Playhouse and Salisbury International Arts Festival and led the Festival into merger with the theatre and Salisbury Arts Centre to become the new pan-arts organisation that is Wiltshire Creative.
She is a trustee of Wiltshire Creative.
Driven by the power of the arts and education to change lives, Helen is a strong believer in the importance of further education and vocational training. She was Chair of Wiltshire College for five years, leading the College through a period of transformational change.
Helen has also chaired the education panel at Wiltshire Community Foundation, giving grants to young people to access educational resources and services and bursaries to those who could not otherwise go to university. She is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire.
She is a non-executive director of Messums Org, a pioneering multi-purpose gallery and art centre based in a fourteenth century tithe barn in Wiltshire and with spaces in London and the East of England.
Helen sits on the Arts Council England Performance and Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee.
Term of appointment: 05 December 2018 - 04 December 2026.
Driven by the power of the arts and education to change lives, Helen is a strong believer in the importance of further education and vocational training. She was Chair of Wiltshire College for five years, leading the College through a period of transformational change.
Helen has also chaired the education panel at Wiltshire Community Foundation, giving grants to young people to access educational resources and services and bursaries to those who could not otherwise go to university. She is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire.
She is a non-executive director of Messums Org, a pioneering multi-purpose gallery and art centre based in a fourteenth century tithe barn in Wiltshire and with spaces in London and the East of England.
Helen sits on the Arts Council England Performance and Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee.
Term of appointment: 05 December 2018 - 04 December 2026.
Natalie Adams
Creative Producer and Co-Director
Trigger
Natalie is the Executive Director and Joint CEO of Trigger where she is responsible for strategic financial planning, programme delivery and income generation and partnerships.
She was the Executive Producer on PoliNations – a city-centre garden of magical proportions featuring giant architectural trees which took place over 17 days in September 2022 and welcomed over 150,000 visitors, as part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK; The Hatchling – the world’s first flying puppet in the form of a d
She was the Executive Producer on PoliNations – a city-centre garden of magical proportions featuring giant architectural trees which took place over 17 days in September 2022 and welcomed over 150,000 visitors, as part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK; The Hatchling – the world’s first flying puppet in the form of a d
ragon which premiered in Plymouth in August 2021 to an audience of over 30,000 people and which led the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022; and, Co-creator of TEABREAK, a new show about tea touring to 10+ UK festivals throughout summer 2023 and into 2024.
Trigger are artists and producers making artistic work in response to major issues of our time. Natalie is driven to create accessible, inclusive and boundary pushing work, and believes deeply in the importance of free, outdoor, and site-specific work with mass appeal.
Natalie is a member of the Southwest Area Council of Arts Council England and is on the Board of the Independent Theatre Council.
Trigger are artists and producers making artistic work in response to major issues of our time. Natalie is driven to create accessible, inclusive and boundary pushing work, and believes deeply in the importance of free, outdoor, and site-specific work with mass appeal.
Natalie is a member of the Southwest Area Council of Arts Council England and is on the Board of the Independent Theatre Council.
Lloyd Coleman
Associate Music Director
Paraorchestra and Friends
Lloyd Coleman is a composer, clarinettist and Associate Music Director of the Paraorchestra, an inclusive ensemble of professional disabled and non-disabled musicians. Lloyd plays an active role in the organisation’s work nationally and internationally, working closely with its founder and Artistic Director Charles Hazlewood.
His own music has been performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Concert Orchestra and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra among others.
His own music has been performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Concert Orchestra and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra among others.
He chairs the Classical Council of the Ivors Academy, championing the work and rights of music creators across the UK.
Lloyd studied at London’s Royal Academy of Music and he now lives and works in Bristol.
Lloyd studied at London’s Royal Academy of Music and he now lives and works in Bristol.
Shahina Johnson, MBE
CEO & Artistic Director
Create Studios
Shahina Johnson is Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Create Studios in Swindon, with over 25 years’ experience in arts management and media production.
She is proud to have led Create through its transition to a Social Enterprise model embracing all digital media beyond her roots in film.
She is proud to have led Create through its transition to a Social Enterprise model embracing all digital media beyond her roots in film.
Shahina has previously supported Bristol’s Watershed and Swindon & Wiltshire LEP Boards and received an MBE in the 2018 New Year’s Honours for services to Arts and Creative Industries in Swindon & Wiltshire.
As an alumnus of the US National Arts Strategies Leadership Programme, Creating Community and Cultural Change, Shahina is keen to support diverse leadership development within the sector.
As an alumnus of the US National Arts Strategies Leadership Programme, Creating Community and Cultural Change, Shahina is keen to support diverse leadership development within the sector.
Cllr Satvir Kaur
Portfolio Holder, Communities and Culture
Southampton City Council
Cllr Satvir Kaur is the Leader of Southampton City Council. Satvir led Southampton’s City of Culture 2025 Bid, in which they were finalists. She has worked hard to cement Southampton as a cultural destination, integrating culture into the Council’s wider growth agenda; started initiatives where culture is used to address social needs, from helping to reduce youth reoffending to social isolation and improve mental health.
A huge advocate for arts and culture and its ability to change lives and transform communities, Satvir is a member of Southampton’s Cultural Trust, Southampton Forward, aimed at delivering on their City of Culture legacy.
Professor Bambo Soyinka
Professor of Story
Bath Spa University
Bambo Soyinka is Professor of Story and Director of the TRACE (The Research Centre for Transnational Creativity and Education at Bath Spa University). Since her early career, where she co-produced films with young people and developed pioneering approaches to TV and trans-media narratives, she has gone on to work extensively across the arts and education as an artistic practitioner and development producer.
Her most recent project is Paper Nations, which champions creative approaches to writer development.
Louise Mitchell, CBE
Chief Executive
Bristol Music Trust
Louise Mitchell is the Chief Executive of Bristol Music Trust, the charity set up to manage Bristol Beacon: the music charity, renowned venue and award-winning music education hub, and take a regional overview of music promotion. Louise is currently overseeing the £132m transformation of Bristol Beacon, the largest arts capital programme in the South West. She is also Chair of National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.
Previously, Louise was the Director of the Glasgow UNESCO City of Music and Glasgow Concert Halls, as well as Concerts Director for the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Riley Mathers
Artist
Riley Mathers is a freelance artist with a studio in Artsite in Swindon, an Arts Council Priority Place.
They are a cross-form artist working traditionally and digitally. They graduated college in 2014 after completing a Games Design Course. They have also achieved Bronze, Silver and Gold Arts Awards.
While working as a carer they have managed to work on developing their artistic practice and branched out into costume design and creation.
They are a cross-form artist working traditionally and digitally. They graduated college in 2014 after completing a Games Design Course. They have also achieved Bronze, Silver and Gold Arts Awards.
While working as a carer they have managed to work on developing their artistic practice and branched out into costume design and creation.
They have spent some time working with Prime Theatre and are currently working at The Platform Project, an alternative provision organisation for young people.
Ajay Chhabra
Co-Founder
Nutkhut
Ajay Chhabra is an actor and multidisciplinary outdoor arts specialist. He is the Co-founder of the leading arts organisation Nutkhut, based in an Arts Council England Priority Place, Rushmoor.
He is also Chair of the Mela Partnership, and a trustee of Creative Kernow and Tara Theatre.
He works with the Mayor of London's Cultural Leadership Board and across all 56 member states of the Commonwealth Foundation, and encourages entrepreneurialism, innovation and talent across sectors.
Ajay’s award-winning body of work: Dr Blighty, Never Set Eyes and Girmit, a Trilogy of Defining Moments, has impacted and influenced diaspora communities through the lens of art, heritage and technology.
Prior to working in the arts sector, he worked in senior management positions in the hospitality and tourism sector.
As an actor, Ajay portrays characters across theatre, television and film that are often overlooked and under-represented.
He works with the Mayor of London's Cultural Leadership Board and across all 56 member states of the Commonwealth Foundation, and encourages entrepreneurialism, innovation and talent across sectors.
Ajay’s award-winning body of work: Dr Blighty, Never Set Eyes and Girmit, a Trilogy of Defining Moments, has impacted and influenced diaspora communities through the lens of art, heritage and technology.
Prior to working in the arts sector, he worked in senior management positions in the hospitality and tourism sector.
As an actor, Ajay portrays characters across theatre, television and film that are often overlooked and under-represented.
Julie Caplin-Grey
Deputy Chief Executive & Chief Operating and Finance Officer
Hall for Cornwall
Julie Caplin-Grey (formerly Seyler) is Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating and Finance Officer of Hall for Cornwall, and Chair of Royal Cornwall Museum.
Before joining Hall for Cornwall, Julie was Head of Culture at Cornwall Council and was commissioned to develop the Cornwall City of Culture Bid 2025 on behalf of the Local Enterprise Partnership.
She is the Chair of the Royal Institution of Cornwall where she is working with a new team to secure and transform the Royal Cornwall Mus
Before joining Hall for Cornwall, Julie was Head of Culture at Cornwall Council and was commissioned to develop the Cornwall City of Culture Bid 2025 on behalf of the Local Enterprise Partnership.
She is the Chair of the Royal Institution of Cornwall where she is working with a new team to secure and transform the Royal Cornwall Mus
eum; Director of PK Porthcurno Ltd, and Advisory Chair of Golden Tree and chair of the Truro Cultural Compact Partnership.
Julie has developed and delivered long term strategic plans for culture, raising £120m for cultural projects in Cornwall.
In her earlier career she was Kneehigh Theatre’s General Manager, CEO of Creative Kernow and the Objective One Task Force Co-ordinator for Culture and Heritage. She has held a number of non-executive roles including chair of WildWorks, a Board member for Culture Southwest and a member of the British Council's Creative Economy Advisory Group.
In 2023 she became a Creative UK mentor and has been working with RIFT, a new company based at The Ladder, Redruth.
Julie has developed and delivered long term strategic plans for culture, raising £120m for cultural projects in Cornwall.
In her earlier career she was Kneehigh Theatre’s General Manager, CEO of Creative Kernow and the Objective One Task Force Co-ordinator for Culture and Heritage. She has held a number of non-executive roles including chair of WildWorks, a Board member for Culture Southwest and a member of the British Council's Creative Economy Advisory Group.
In 2023 she became a Creative UK mentor and has been working with RIFT, a new company based at The Ladder, Redruth.
Mark Wallace
Director
Beaford Arts
Mark Wallace is Director of Beaford Arts, England's longest-established rural arts initiative, in North Devon, a Priority Place.
Beaford has worked with artists, communities and schools across 700 square miles of rural northern Devon since 1966. Its programme continues to support new work at the intersection of arts, heritage and environment.
He is Vice Chair of North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Partnership, and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts.
Beaford has worked with artists, communities and schools across 700 square miles of rural northern Devon since 1966. Its programme continues to support new work at the intersection of arts, heritage and environment.
He is Vice Chair of North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Partnership, and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts.
Mark has served on the Arts Council’s National Rural Stakeholders Steering Group as Chair of Theatre South West, and has chaired Audiences South West, the region’s former audience development agency.
Cllr Steve Pitt
Lib Dem Appointed Leader
Portsmouth City Council
Cllr Steve Pitt (Lib Dem) is Leader of Portsmouth City Council and the Cabinet Member for Culture Leisure and Economic Development.
He has worked extensively for over 15 years with partners in the cultural community in the city, including as Chair of the Culture Partnership.
Steve is also a professional theatre director, directing productions with his fringe group New Apollo.
He has worked extensively for over 15 years with partners in the cultural community in the city, including as Chair of the Culture Partnership.
Steve is also a professional theatre director, directing productions with his fringe group New Apollo.
He ran and programmed an independent live music venue from 2006-2015, and worked as a manager and promoter in the music industry.
In his Cabinet role at PCC, he is leading on the city's cultural regeneration, driving investment into Portsmouth's theatres, venues and arts spaces. Steve was instrumental in setting up Portsmouth Creates to provide a strategic lead for the city's cultural and creative community.
In his Cabinet role at PCC, he is leading on the city's cultural regeneration, driving investment into Portsmouth's theatres, venues and arts spaces. Steve was instrumental in setting up Portsmouth Creates to provide a strategic lead for the city's cultural and creative community.
Cllr Julie Jones-Evans
Portfolio Holder, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure
Isle of Wight Council
Cllr Julie Jones-Evans is the portfolio holder for Regeneration, Culture and Leisure on the Isle of Wight Council, and a member of the LGA Culture, Tourism and Sport Committee.
Julie has had extensive experience in retail, heritage, tourism, events and been an Independent elected member of the Isle of Wight since 2009.
She is also an entrepreneur and director of the Boojum & Snark craft brewery in Sandown, and has had a career in retail, heritage, tourism and events.
Julie has had extensive experience in retail, heritage, tourism, events and been an Independent elected member of the Isle of Wight since 2009.
She is also an entrepreneur and director of the Boojum & Snark craft brewery in Sandown, and has had a career in retail, heritage, tourism and events.
Cllr Jemima Laing
Deputy Leader (Labour)
Plymouth City Council
Cllr Jemima Laing is Deputy Leader of Plymouth City Council and Cabinet Member for Children, Culture and Events. She has been a Labour councillor in Plymouth since 2018.
Jemima is a member of the LGA Culture, Tourism and Sport board. She is also a trustee of homelessness charity Plymouth Access to Housing and the Ballard Youth trust, and Director of Exim Dance.
She was a solicitor before pursuing a career in journalism, working with the BBC as a broadcast journalist.
Jemima is a member of the LGA Culture, Tourism and Sport board. She is also a trustee of homelessness charity Plymouth Access to Housing and the Ballard Youth trust, and Director of Exim Dance.
She was a solicitor before pursuing a career in journalism, working with the BBC as a broadcast journalist.
She now writes on a freelance basis.
She has had many years' experience as a school governor and is passionate about increasing access to culture for children and young people.
She has had many years' experience as a school governor and is passionate about increasing access to culture for children and young people.
Cllr John Beesley
Conservative councillor
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP)
Cllr John Beesley is a Conservative councillor in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and a Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee.
John was formerly the Deputy Chair of Key Cities and Chair of the Dorset County Pension Fund and other bodies. He represents the Westbourne & West Cliff Ward in Bournemouth, and was the Leader of Bournemouth Council (2012 - 2019) and a Deputy Leader (2007 - 2012).
John was formerly the Deputy Chair of Key Cities and Chair of the Dorset County Pension Fund and other bodies. He represents the Westbourne & West Cliff Ward in Bournemouth, and was the Leader of Bournemouth Council (2012 - 2019) and a Deputy Leader (2007 - 2012).
He was also responsible for the Resources Portfolio and the Council Budget for 12 years.
In the private sector, he was a Bournemouth hotelier for over 30 years and heads a hospitality consultancy specialising in hotel management and development. John is a director of the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership.
He has 30-years' experience in a variety of trade and political bodies, including working in the private sector in hospitality management and development.
In the private sector, he was a Bournemouth hotelier for over 30 years and heads a hospitality consultancy specialising in hotel management and development. John is a director of the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership.
He has 30-years' experience in a variety of trade and political bodies, including working in the private sector in hospitality management and development.