Our senior leadership team
This is our senior leadership team, it comprises of senior directors as well as our Executive Board members.
Our executive board
Our Executive board is chaired by the Chief Executive, Darren Henley, and comprises two Deputy Chief Executives, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, and two Executive Directors.
Our leadership
Ruth Alaile
Director, Governance and Planning (Senior Director)
Arts Council England
Ruth Alaile was appointed Director of Governance and Planning in 2013. She oversees operational planning, impact and performance reporting, risk management, information governance and legal services within the Arts Council.
Ruth has extensive experience of governance in its broadest sense. She is a former Secretary of the Committee on Standards in Public Life and she managed the Committee's 2010 inquiry into MP's Expenses.
Ruth has extensive experience of governance in its broadest sense. She is a former Secretary of the Committee on Standards in Public Life and she managed the Committee's 2010 inquiry into MP's Expenses.
She has worked with the Institute for Government on a research paper on Directly Elected Mayors. She has also held senior positions within the former Audit Commission for England and Wales.
Ruth has a degree in Economics and Law, and a postgraduate certificate in coaching and behavioural change. She is also an Arts Council coaching champion.
Ruth has a degree in Economics and Law, and a postgraduate certificate in coaching and behavioural change. She is also an Arts Council coaching champion.
Navees Rahman
Chief Finance and Resources Officer (Senior Director)
Arts Council England
Navees recently joined us from the Planning Inspectorate (an arms-length body in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) where he was interim Chief Executive. He previously spent six years as the Planning Inspectorate’s Director of Corporate Services, with responsibility for Finance, HR, IT, Governance and Estates. Navees studied biological sciences at King’s College in London and trained as a chartered accountant at Grant Thornton.
He joined the Civil Service in 2006 as a financial accountant and his career includes senior finance roles at the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
Irene Constantinides
National Director of Communication (Senior Director) (Maternity Leave)
Arts Council England
As the National Director of Communication, Irene is responsible for developing our communications strategy and narrative, tackling reputational issues, and leading the national advocacy and communication team.
Irene has a Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching and has experience of managing culture change and driving quality.
Irene began her career as a journalist and editor for a newspaper, and then moved into agency PR.
Irene has a Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching and has experience of managing culture change and driving quality.
Irene began her career as a journalist and editor for a newspaper, and then moved into agency PR.
Prior to joining the Arts Council in 2018, Irene led communication departments within the Higher Education sector, during which she managed significant reputational crises and recruitment campaigns. As part of her role at the University of Essex, she was also responsible for the leadership and management of the university’s theatre, gallery and museum collection.
Michelle Dickson
Director, Strategy (Senior Director)
Arts Council England
Michelle Dickson is the Director, Strategy at Arts Council England. She is currently ACE’s Programme Lead for the Culture Recovery Fund, and before that led on the organisation’s ten year strategy, Let’s Create, 2020-2030 and its first delivery plan for 2021-2024.
Michelle also has responsibility for oversight of the Creative People outcome and for ACE’s work to support individuals working in the cultural sector.
Prior to this role, Michelle was Director, North and the National Director of Touring for Arts Council England. She was responsible for the Arts Council's work within Yorkshire, Humberside and North East Lincolnshire, and for the support and development of Touring, including the Strategic Touring Programme.
Prior to joining ACE in 2014, Michelle was Director and Chief Executive of Oxford Playhouse, a 600 seat theatre with a 50 seat studio. She produced and toured theatre locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, supported numerous emerging and established artists, commissioned and co-produced work and developed an off-site programme of performance. She was a founding member of the house network and of Dance Touring Partnership. She has also worked for The British Council and Ambassador Theatre Group.
Michelle has a degree in English, and is a certified coach.
Prior to this role, Michelle was Director, North and the National Director of Touring for Arts Council England. She was responsible for the Arts Council's work within Yorkshire, Humberside and North East Lincolnshire, and for the support and development of Touring, including the Strategic Touring Programme.
Prior to joining ACE in 2014, Michelle was Director and Chief Executive of Oxford Playhouse, a 600 seat theatre with a 50 seat studio. She produced and toured theatre locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, supported numerous emerging and established artists, commissioned and co-produced work and developed an off-site programme of performance. She was a founding member of the house network and of Dance Touring Partnership. She has also worked for The British Council and Ambassador Theatre Group.
Michelle has a degree in English, and is a certified coach.
Laura Dyer
Deputy Chief Executive Places, Engagement & Libraries (Executive Board Member)
Arts Council England
Laura Dyer MBE leads on the growing agenda around local government, devolution and place-making, as well as overall leadership of all five of the Arts Council’s area teams.
Before joining the Arts Council, Laura was Chief Executive of East Midlands Arts Board. Until 2010, when she became Executive Director Midlands and South West, she held the post of Executive Director, East Midlands.
Before joining the Arts Council, Laura was Chief Executive of East Midlands Arts Board. Until 2010, when she became Executive Director Midlands and South West, she held the post of Executive Director, East Midlands.
During her time in the East Midlands, Laura led a capital development programme which transformed the region's cultural landscape, with a total investment of over £130 million creating six new arts and cultural facilities.
After postgraduate studies at Essex University, Laura started her career in the arts in a number of theatre and community arts companies before moving into large outdoor events programming at the Garden Festival Wales. She went on to work for local authorities in Norfolk and London.
Laura joined the Arts Council in 2003. She is a member of our Executive Board.
After postgraduate studies at Essex University, Laura started her career in the arts in a number of theatre and community arts companies before moving into large outdoor events programming at the Garden Festival Wales. She went on to work for local authorities in Norfolk and London.
Laura joined the Arts Council in 2003. She is a member of our Executive Board.
Hazel Edwards
Area Director, South East (Senior Director)
Arts Council England
Hazel leads the delivery of the Let’s Create 10-year strategy across the South East area and strategic investment to make real impact for the arts, from Brighton to Cambridge, working with grass-roots organisations to cultural icons. She is committed to making culture and arts education accessible for all with a career spanning the university and the cultural sectors in three regions – the North East, the South West and most recently, the South East.
Before joining Arts Council England in 2021, Hazel led research in arts, humanities and education at Durham University and the University of the West of England Bristol, where she was Associate Dean for Research & Innovation.
She originally trained as a history curator at Leicester University and worked in museums and art galleries in the North East for 25 years; she was the first woman to lead Discovery Museum, the large science and industry museum in Newcastle upon Tyne. She has extensive experience of board membership including Director and Deputy Chair of Bristol Ideas. She sat on the Museums Association Board for three years and in 2015 she became a Fellow of the Museums Association in recognition of her contribution to the sector. Her wide experience of universities, local authorities and the arts drives her commitment to developing dynamic regional cultural ecologies.
She originally trained as a history curator at Leicester University and worked in museums and art galleries in the North East for 25 years; she was the first woman to lead Discovery Museum, the large science and industry museum in Newcastle upon Tyne. She has extensive experience of board membership including Director and Deputy Chair of Bristol Ideas. She sat on the Museums Association Board for three years and in 2015 she became a Fellow of the Museums Association in recognition of her contribution to the sector. Her wide experience of universities, local authorities and the arts drives her commitment to developing dynamic regional cultural ecologies.
Phil Gibby
Area Director, South West (Senior Director)
Arts Council England
Phil Gibby is Arts Council England’s Area Director for the South West. He joined the Arts Council from Welsh National Opera where he was Director of Development and Communications.
Previously Phil had held a number of senior roles at one of the Prince of Wales’s charities, Arts & Business, and headed the Marketing and Development department at Bristol Old Vic.
Previously Phil had held a number of senior roles at one of the Prince of Wales’s charities, Arts & Business, and headed the Marketing and Development department at Bristol Old Vic.
He began his career as a journalist on local newspapers in Surrey before becoming news editor of The Stage.
Phil is a Henley Business School certified coach. He has chaired, and served as a trustee of, a number of cultural, charitable and educational organisations in Bristol, where he has lived for 20 years, Wales, and the wider south west.
Phil is a Henley Business School certified coach. He has chaired, and served as a trustee of, a number of cultural, charitable and educational organisations in Bristol, where he has lived for 20 years, Wales, and the wider south west.
Darren Henley
Chief Executive (Executive Board Member)
Arts Council England
Dr Darren Henley CBE is chief executive of Arts Council England. He chairs the UK National Lottery Forum, the National Lottery Promotions Unit management board and the Creative Industries Council Health and Wellbeing Forum.
The author of two independent government reviews into music education and cultural education, Darren led Classic FM for fifteen years.
The author of two independent government reviews into music education and cultural education, Darren led Classic FM for fifteen years.
His latest book 'The Arts Dividend Revisited: Why Investment in Culture Pays' champions the positive impact of public investment on helping artists, arts organisations, museums and libraries to create happier lives in villages, towns and cities across England.
A certified coach, he has a doctorate exploring the role of the outsider as an agent for change and degrees in positive psychology, history of art, management, and politics.
A certified coach, he has a doctorate exploring the role of the outsider as an agent for change and degrees in positive psychology, history of art, management, and politics.
Abid Hussain
Director, Diversity (Senior Director)
Arts Council England
Abid Hussain is Director, Diversity with responsibility for delivering the Arts Council's work on equality, diversity and inclusion. He currently leads on the delivery of the organisation’s Inclusivity & Relevance Investment Principle and Equality Objectives.
He is an alumnus of the U.S International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) and the Salzburg Global Seminar and is currently completing an MBA at Aston University.
He is an alumnus of the U.S International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) and the Salzburg Global Seminar and is currently completing an MBA at Aston University.
Abid has extensive experience of working with cultural agencies, government and academia internationally and has contributed to several international conferences and academic texts and journals in his field of expertise.
Sanj Jagait
Chief Data Officer (Senior Director)
Arts Council England
Sanj leads the teams responsible for driving value from data to create a culture where evidence drives our approach across all aspects of the work we deliver and support.
Sanj has spent his career helping organisations harness data to devise insight evidenced strategies, improve decision making and simplify the working lives of colleagues and stakeholders.
Sanj has spent his career helping organisations harness data to devise insight evidenced strategies, improve decision making and simplify the working lives of colleagues and stakeholders.
He has worked across a number of sectors and organisations, including Experian, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Nationwide Building Society.
Sanj joined the Arts Council in 2021.
Sanj joined the Arts Council in 2021.
Emmie Kell
Director of Museums and Cultural Property (Senior Director)
Arts Council England
Before joining the Arts Council, Emmie was Chief Executive of Cornwall Museums Partnership, a charity she founded in 2015. After completing a Masters degree at the Royal College of Art she entered the museums sector including roles at the V&A, Somerset House, the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester and Thinktank Birmingham. She has worked as a consultant with numerous arts and heritage organisations across the UK.
She was a Non- Exec Director of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership and Chair of the Cornwall Creative Industries Taskforce.
She is a Fellow of the University of Exeter’s Centre for Leadership, a qualified teacher and coach.
She is a Fellow of the University of Exeter’s Centre for Leadership, a qualified teacher and coach.
Peter Knott
Area Director, Midlands (Senior Director)
Arts Council England
Having worked for the Arts Council since 2002, Peter was appointed to the role of Area Director for the Midlands in 2013, taking on responsibility for investment across the combined East and West Midlands regions.
Born in Leicester, Peter is a graduate of the University of Liverpool and has a Masters degree in Film from the University of Warwick. He has worked for the London Film and Video Development Agency (now Film London) as well as the British Record Industry Trust.
Born in Leicester, Peter is a graduate of the University of Liverpool and has a Masters degree in Film from the University of Warwick. He has worked for the London Film and Video Development Agency (now Film London) as well as the British Record Industry Trust.
As a senior producer for Eyeline, a moving image production company, he made many pop videos in the 1990s. Also a qualified teacher and a Henley Business School certified coach, Peter is married with two children and continues to live in Leicestershire.
Ian Matthews
Director, Human Resources and Estates (Senior Director)
Arts Council England
Now based in Manchester, Ian began his career for the Arts Council in London in 2008.
Ian took on the role of HR Director in 2013, and joined the Arts Council’s Senior Leadership Team in 2021, responsible for People and Culture.
Ian’s previously worked in the National Trust, in financial services and for the General Social Care Council.
Ian took on the role of HR Director in 2013, and joined the Arts Council’s Senior Leadership Team in 2021, responsible for People and Culture.
Ian’s previously worked in the National Trust, in financial services and for the General Social Care Council.
Ian holds a PhD in History and a postgraduate certificate in coaching and behavioural change.
He enjoys cycling and making synthpop with his 11-year-old son.
He enjoys cycling and making synthpop with his 11-year-old son.
Sarah Maxfield
Area Director, North (Senior Director)
Arts Council England
Sarah Maxfield is currently the Arts Council’s Area Director for the North, having joined the organisation in 2010 as Regional Director for the North West region. Sarah spent the four years prior to this as Chief Executive of Oxford Inspires, Oxfordshire's cultural agency which promotes special events and festivals and supplies development services to arts organisations.
Originally from South Yorkshire, Sarah’s career has combined senior posts in local government, the Arts Council and working within arts organisations in Hull, Newcastle and Cumbria. Her previous experience also includes Head of Cultural Development at Kent County Council, Deputy Chief Executive of Southern Arts Board and working as an independent arts planning and fundraising consultant.
Simon Mellor
Deputy Chief Executive, Arts and Museums (Executive Board Member)
Arts Council England
Simon leads the team of national arts and culture Directors. He is responsible for overseeing the development of the Arts Council’s new 10 year strategy (2020-30) and provides executive board leadership for the Arts Council’s international strategy.
Before joining the Arts Council, Simon was founder and General Director of the Manchester International Festival. He was also Chief Executive of the Lyric Hammersmith and producer and founder of Gloria Theatre Company.
Before joining the Arts Council, Simon was founder and General Director of the Manchester International Festival. He was also Chief Executive of the Lyric Hammersmith and producer and founder of Gloria Theatre Company.
He has worked as Youth Arts Project Coordinator at the South Bank Centre, Head of Education at Battersea Arts Centre and Co-Director of Pegasus Theatre in Oxford.
Simon joined the Arts Council in 2012. He is a member of our Executive Board.
Simon joined the Arts Council in 2012. He is a member of our Executive Board.
Tonya Nelson
Executive Director, Enterprise & Innovation (Executive Board Member)
Arts Council England
Tonya Nelson is Executive Director, Enterprise & Innovation at Arts Council England. She was formerly London Area Director where she oversaw a portfolio of over 250 London-based arts organisations. She joined the Arts Council when she was appointed to be the first Director of Arts Technology and Innovation in 2019.
Tonya was seconded to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in 2017 where she co-authored the policy report Culture is Digital.
Tonya was seconded to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in 2017 where she co-authored the policy report Culture is Digital.
She sits on the board of Trustees of the National Gallery and Royal Collection Trust, which looks after the Royal Collection and manages the public opening of the official residences of His Majesty The King. She also advises on cultural projects around the world as a Senior Associate at AEA Consulting.
She was formerly Chair of the International Council of Museums (UK), Bomb Factory Art Foundation and a member of Christie’s Art World Professional Advisory Group. She worked for University College London for nine years, rising to the level of Director of Museums and Cultural Programmes.
Prior to entering the cultural sector, she was a barrister and management consultant in Washington, DC, where she grew up.
She was formerly Chair of the International Council of Museums (UK), Bomb Factory Art Foundation and a member of Christie’s Art World Professional Advisory Group. She worked for University College London for nine years, rising to the level of Director of Museums and Cultural Programmes.
Prior to entering the cultural sector, she was a barrister and management consultant in Washington, DC, where she grew up.
Catherine Nesus
Programme Director, Culture Recovery Fund (Senior Director)
Arts Council England
Catherine is the Arts Council’s Director of Change, leading and driving activity to change the Arts Council to effectively deliver Let’s Create and respond effectively to our users and stakeholders.
Prior to this, Catherine was the Arts Council’s Programme Director for the Culture Recovery Fund, which followed a secondment to DCMS to support the Culture Recovery Board as Deputy Head, CRF Secretariat.
Prior to this, Catherine was the Arts Council’s Programme Director for the Culture Recovery Fund, which followed a secondment to DCMS to support the Culture Recovery Board as Deputy Head, CRF Secretariat.
Catherine remains responsible for the Arts Council’s CRF Legacy work.
Prior to joining the Arts Council in 2018, Catherine was a management consultant specialising in strategy development, transformation, commercial negotiations, and change management projects - working with public, private sector and indigenous organisations. Catherine is a former senior civil servant (NZ) working across a range of sectors including arts and heritage, indigenous issues, justice services, disaster recovery and economic development.
Catherine has a Masters of Public Policy (NZ).
Prior to joining the Arts Council in 2018, Catherine was a management consultant specialising in strategy development, transformation, commercial negotiations, and change management projects - working with public, private sector and indigenous organisations. Catherine is a former senior civil servant (NZ) working across a range of sectors including arts and heritage, indigenous issues, justice services, disaster recovery and economic development.
Catherine has a Masters of Public Policy (NZ).
Mags Patten
Executive Director Public Policy and Communication (Executive Board Member)
Arts Council England
Mags is responsible for work in areas of public policy including health and wellbeing, criminal justice and socio-economic disadvantage.
Mags leads on communication between the Arts Council and its broad range of stakeholders which includes the public, government and the cultural sector.
Mags leads on communication between the Arts Council and its broad range of stakeholders which includes the public, government and the cultural sector.
She manages teams responsible for customer services, digital communication and marketing, internal communication, media relations and stakeholder engagement.
Mags began her career in television, working for Channel 4 and the BBC. She has led communication for English National Opera and the Equality and Human Rights Commission. She has also worked as a consultant for clients including the European Union/Equality Commission Northern Ireland and Channel 4 television.
Mags joined the Arts Council in 2012. She is a member of our Executive Board and a Henley Business School certified coach.
Mags began her career in television, working for Channel 4 and the BBC. She has led communication for English National Opera and the Equality and Human Rights Commission. She has also worked as a consultant for clients including the European Union/Equality Commission Northern Ireland and Channel 4 television.
Mags joined the Arts Council in 2012. She is a member of our Executive Board and a Henley Business School certified coach.
Richard Russell
Chief Operating Officer (Executive Board Member)
Arts Council England
Richard leads on the Arts Council’s investment, governance and planning functions.
Before taking up his position on the Executive Board, Richard was Director of Policy and Research and led the Arts Council’s work on leadership and workforce in the arts and cultural sector.
Before taking up his position on the Executive Board, Richard was Director of Policy and Research and led the Arts Council’s work on leadership and workforce in the arts and cultural sector.
In 2013, he was responsible for producing the Arts Council’s refreshed strategic framework, 'Great art and culture for everyone'.
Richard began his career leading arts organisations and festivals across England, including as Programme Manager for Birmingham City Council on the UK City of Music in 1992.
Richard joined the Arts Council in 2000, and was director in the South East region before moving to the Arts Council’s head office in 2010.
Richard is a member of our Executive Board.
Richard began his career leading arts organisations and festivals across England, including as Programme Manager for Birmingham City Council on the UK City of Music in 1992.
Richard joined the Arts Council in 2000, and was director in the South East region before moving to the Arts Council’s head office in 2010.
Richard is a member of our Executive Board.
Michelle Walker
Area Director, London (Senior Director)
Arts Council England
Michelle Walker is currently London Area Director for Arts Council England. She has been in this position since joining Arts Council England in November 2023.
Michelle has extensive leadership experience in London’s cultural sector and joins Arts Council England from London Borough of Southwark, where she led innovative projects both with established cultural icons such as Tate and with locally rooted partners such as Theatre Peckham.
Prior to this, Michelle was the Strategic Lead for Culture at Nine Elms (Wandsworth Council), Executive Director at Festival.Org (Greenwich+Docklands International Festival) and has worked outside of the capital as the Director at Hat Fair in Winchester and Producer at Oxford Playhouse Theatre.
In her role as Area Director, Michelle will lead the delivery of Let’s Create, the Arts Council’s 10-year strategy across all boroughs in London, making strategic investment to ensure there is impact for the arts across the capital.
Prior to this, Michelle was the Strategic Lead for Culture at Nine Elms (Wandsworth Council), Executive Director at Festival.Org (Greenwich+Docklands International Festival) and has worked outside of the capital as the Director at Hat Fair in Winchester and Producer at Oxford Playhouse Theatre.
In her role as Area Director, Michelle will lead the delivery of Let’s Create, the Arts Council’s 10-year strategy across all boroughs in London, making strategic investment to ensure there is impact for the arts across the capital.