I studied Law at Cambridge University (St John’s College) and completed my Legal Practice Course in Oxford. I was a Trainee Solicitor with Walker Morris in Leeds, and then practised as a Solicitor, specialising in Commercial Property Law, in West and North Yorkshire for 7 years.
Looking for a new challenge, I studied for a Masters degree in ‘Culture, Creativity & Entrepreneurship’. In 2010, I gave up Law, in order work in the Arts (as I had briefly before becoming a Solicitor), working first at Square Chapel Centre for the Arts in Halifax, and from 2012 to 2021 as Manager of Hebden Bridge Picture House. In that time I grew audiences, developed the cinema’s programme, project managed refurbishment of the entire front of house areas, and ensured the cinema kept trading after a devastating flood which affected almost all areas of the building in 2015, and more recently recovering the business and the building from the Storm Ciara flooding in 2020. During the Covid-19 pandemic I was successful in obtaining five grants for the cinema, procured and configured a new box office system, ran a staff training programme and curated / co-ordinated a year-long centenary programme celebrating film heritage.
In 2019 I began offering cinema and arts consultancy and in 2021 added freelance project work. Since 2022, half of the week I am the Creative Producer and Project Manager for Hebden Bridge Arts, a community focussed arts charity.
I’m highly motivated, goal focused, business minded and pride myself on being organised and dependable. I thrive on detail and enjoy managing complex projects, something my legal career provided lots of opportunity for. I’m creative, enthusiastic, personable and above all believe in giving each role I take on my absolute best effort. I am always learning.