Director and Chief Executive

• May 2020 - Present

Owner

• Apr 2017 - Mar 2020

Director and Consultant at Sandra Bruce-Gordon Ltd, April 2017 until present Achievements: • Development of a Cultural (Arts) Strategy for Slough Borough Council including economic and social value impact assessment, 5-year action plan and an evaluation framework. Management of key stakeholder relationships to drive and shape the emergent strategy. • For London Borough of Bexley acting as their cultural and creative industries economy consultant providing leadership and support on a variety of projects including development of a Creative Enterprise Zone in partnership with the local social enterprises and other community groups in Thamesmead and the Thames Production corridor, underpinning Bexley’s Growth and Corporate Strategies. Procurement and commissioning of London Borough of Culture artistic programme. • For Woodoaks Farm Hertfordshire commissioned by the private owner to create a trust for the farm including development of a diversification plan to ensure financial sustainability and protection of the heritage assets (including two Grade 2 listed buildings). Led and developed actions from consultation with wider stakeholders in the community including engaging the local bird sancturary to prepare a biodiversity study. Show less

CEO

• Apr 2016 - Mar 2017

Chief Executive Cultura London, August 2015 to March 2017 Role: To provide strong, inspirational and high-profile leadership to enable Cultura London’s charitable objectives. Providing leadership to the organisation across 3 disciplines with 120 staff and ensuring that the Board of Trustees fulfils its responsibilities in the governance of the Charity. Responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation whilst enabling, developing and expanding the work of Headstone Manor Museum, Harrow Music Service and Harrow Arts Centre. Responsible for fundraising to ensure business objectives are met including Cultura London’s vision for a capital programme of works at the Harrow Arts Centre site. To ensure long term sustainability, through effective governance, sound finance and delivery of services. To lead the transfer of Arts, Heritage and Music Services from Harrow Council to Cultura London including due diligence and TUPE. Achievements: • Development of a Vision and Business Plan which attracted £3.1 million of external funding for the development of Harrow Arts Centre. • Implemented change management processes enabling cross service working. • Set up Cultura London as an independent company and wrote the successful application for charitable status. • Recruitment to the Board of Trustees for the Charity and Trading Company. • For Chelmsford City Council review of Chelmsford City Theatres providing strategic and operational recommendations with an outline business plan. Show less

Interim Service Manager Arts and Heritage

• Apr 2014 - Apr 2016

Interim Service Manager Arts and Heritage, London Borough Harrow, April 2014 until August 2015 Role: To provide strategic leadership and specialist guidance on the development of arts, cultural events, heritage and music services. Achievements: • Development of an options appraisal for the future management and governance of Harrow Arts Centre including potential development proposals for a refurbishment of the Grade 2 listed Elliott Hall, the build and operation of an independent cinema and the construction of a 600-seat theatre. • Full service restructure • Successful Stage 2 HLF application for Headstone Manor and Museum with an award of £3.6 million with an overall project value of £6 million Show less

Director and Consultant

• Nov 2013 - Apr 2014

Director and Consultant at Sandra Bruce-Gordon Ltd, November 2013 until April 2014 Achievements: • For London Borough Waltham Forest development of an Arts Strategy. • For Milton Keynes Council development of an Options Appraisal for the future management of library services. Director and Consultant at Sandra Bruce-Gordon Ltd, November 2013 until April 2014 Achievements: • For London Borough Waltham Forest development of an Arts Strategy. • For Milton Keynes Council development of an Options Appraisal for the future management of library services.

Interim Community Development Manager

• May 2013 - Dec 2013

Responsible for establishing and leading the new Community Development team ensuring delivery of services that were high quality, value for money and responsive to the needs of service users. As a strategic advisor to the Council responsible for developing a corporate approach to Community Development which included arts development, voluntary and community Sector development, Community Ward Forums support, youth participation and engagement, community funding and project opportunities, community cohesion and community libraries. Whilst in the role I set up a strategic ‘Think Tank’ of "influencers" employed within major arts institutions and organisations and an arts practitioner’s forum to ensure that arts in the borough were recognised for their contribution to economic growth and sustainability. Show less

Owner and Consultant

• Aug 2012 - Apr 2013

Clients included: Milton Keynes Council London Borough Waltham Forest Greenwich Leisure Ltd London Borough Haringey Clients included: Milton Keynes Council London Borough Waltham Forest Greenwich Leisure Ltd London Borough Haringey

General Manager

• Mar 2010 - Aug 2012

Strategic and operational management of Libraries, Heritage, Parks & open spaces, alllotments, events and cemeteries on behalf of London Borough Hounslow. As General Manager assuming the role of Chief Executive of Hounslow Community Services (a wholly owned subsidiary of JLIS) managing Libraries in partnership with the London Borough Hounslow – JLIS was the first private sector company to manage public libraries in the United Kingdom. Strategic and operational management of Libraries, Heritage, Parks & open spaces, alllotments, events and cemeteries on behalf of London Borough Hounslow. As General Manager assuming the role of Chief Executive of Hounslow Community Services (a wholly owned subsidiary of JLIS) managing Libraries in partnership with the London Borough Hounslow – JLIS was the first private sector company to manage public libraries in the United Kingdom.

Client Manager Libraries, Arts and Museums

• Aug 2009 - Feb 2010

I was a member of the Divisional Management Team for Leisure and Culture responsible for leisure centres, village halls, sports development, parks and open spaces, arts, museums, historic houses and libraries. Responsibilities included developing and overseeing strategic, policy and business development services including annual service planning with the Council’s contractors, design and implementation, resource allocation, quality control, service improvements and performance and the strategic management of arts, museums, historic houses and libraries. Show less

Owner and Consultant

• Mar 2008 - Aug 2009

Clients included: West Berkshire District Council West Dorset District Council West Berkshire Museum Gazebo TIE Wolverhampton City Council Clients included: West Berkshire District Council West Dorset District Council West Berkshire Museum Gazebo TIE Wolverhampton City Council

Head of Arts & Culture

• 2001 - 2008

I was a strategic leader responsible for the development, growth and delivery of a thriving Arts Service within the Borough, member of the Cultural Services Management Team responsible for arts, cultural development, libraries, sports, leisure, adult education, heritage and green spaces. I was a strategic leader responsible for the development, growth and delivery of a thriving Arts Service within the Borough, member of the Cultural Services Management Team responsible for arts, cultural development, libraries, sports, leisure, adult education, heritage and green spaces.

General Manager Watersmeet Theatre

• Apr 1998 - Sep 2001

Overall responsibility for programming, marketing, finance and operations. Member of the Leisure Services Senior Management Team. Overall responsibility for programming, marketing, finance and operations. Member of the Leisure Services Senior Management Team.

General Manager OTHAC

• Jun 1995 - Mar 1998

Responsibility for the Borough's 'special events' programme and arts lead for the Spelthorne Festival. General Management of Staines Arts Centre including finance, staffing, programming and marketing. Partnership development with schools and further education colleges. Responsibility for the Borough's 'special events' programme and arts lead for the Spelthorne Festival. General Management of Staines Arts Centre including finance, staffing, programming and marketing. Partnership development with schools and further education colleges.

Mitchell Theatre Manager

• 1990 - 1995

Direct operational management of the Theatre including programming and marketing. Event management of the Moir Hall. Direct operational management of the Theatre including programming and marketing. Event management of the Moir Hall.