The CLOA Executive

Director of Culture, Leisure and Skills - Reading Borough Council

Donna has been in local government for +20 years, having joined the first cohort of the National Graduate Development Programme. She has held senior leadership roles, in a range of positions at District, Unitary, London Borough and County level, covering culture, events, waste, parks and registration services.

Donna is currently at Reading Borough Council, where she has recently become Director of Culture, Leisure and Skills, having been Assistant Director of Culture since 2019. Her remit includes Leisure, Libraries, Reading Museum, Theatres, Culture, Archives, Adult Learning and Skills.

Donna is Chair of CLOA and an LGA Peer Reviewer.

Donna is passionate about leisure and culture’s pivotal role in delivering corporate and partner agendas and the positive impact it can have on economic growth, health and the quality of life for communities

Donna’s pronouns are she/her

Leisure and Culture Services Manager – Crawley Borough Council

Penny is currently the Leisure and Culture Services Manager for Crawley Borough Council which involves oversight of the leisure facilities contract, theatre, and council owned league football stadium.

With over twenty years’ experience in the sport and leisure industry she has worked for local authorities, leisure trusts, higher education and in the private sector. This has led her to work across the globe in Canada and Russia as well as across the UK, including being the events manager for major national and international sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games .

Penny is CLOA’s representative on Sport England’s Moving Communities Board. Until recently she was also a Trustee of South Downs Leisure.

Penny’s pronouns are she/her

Head of Arts, Parks and Events at Richmond and Wandsworth Councils

Thorsten has worked in local and regional government for over 20 years, starting his career within cultural services. After a period of advocating for culture in corporate roles, embedding culture in corporate plans and building partnerships for culture across councils and with local strategic partners, he has more recently returned to dedicated culture and leisure roles. He has a special interest in cultural planning and the contribution of culture to place-making, community development, and local economies.

He has previously worked for Haringey, Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, and the Greater London Authority. At City University he led projects to advance equality, diversity and inclusion in the creative industries.

Thorsten is a competitive ballroom dancer and a member of the executive of the United Kingdom Equality Dance Council.

Thorsten’s pronouns are he/him

Assistant Director Culture, Tourism & Sport – Hammersmith & Fulham Council

With experience of leading culture, tourism and sport services over more than twenty years, Val is currently Assistant Director of Cultural Services at the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

Val started her career as a box office clerk before working as a festival producer, in music education and marketing. Following a seven year stretch in the arts funding system, she managed large-scale cultural projects aimed at addressing inequality, and moved gradually into local government. Val is an Associate at the Warwick University Centre for Culture & Media Policy Studies and a Fellow at the Local Policy Innovation Partnership at the University of Birmingham. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of the Academy of Urbanism.

Val was a member of the national Commission on Local Government and Culture, and now Chairs the National Alliance for Cultural Services. She was previously the CLOA executive’s Equality Champion, having established its strong commitment to inclusion and diversity when she was Chair.

Val’s pronouns are she/her

Chief Executive - Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure

Iain is responsible for the initial creation of a sport and leisure trust that has managed the London Borough of Redbridge’s sports facilities since April 2007. In May of 2011, the remainder of Redbridge’s culture and leisure services were transferred to a new and expanded trust. Iain is the Chief Executive of this trust that currently manages libraries, sports facilities & development, parks & open spaces, arts, museums, play, outdoor education, civic halls and grounds maintenance.

Vision-Redbridge Culture & Leisure Ltd is one of the UK’s largest culture and leisure trusts, and Iain and his senior management team are currently concentrating on the business model that was part of the rationale for the Council setting up the wider trust. Iain led Redbridge’s Olympic and Paralympic initiatives and continues the legacy work through the development of facilities and a Legacy Fund that was created through Olympic income generation.

Iain is a previous Chair of CLOA and received an MBE “for services to Public Libraries, Culture and Leisure” in the 2026 Kings Birthday Honours.

Iain’s pronouns are he/him

Vincent worked for Bracknell Forest Borough Council from 1998 just as it was becoming a unitary authority. Prior to retirement he was Director, Environment, Culture and Communities which involved a very wide ranging portfolio of services, but within which Leisure and Culture still played a prominent part.

Within Bracknell Forest, Vince was the corporate lead for climate change and the local and national use of the Council’s Smartcard software, (SmartConnect) created through the previous National Smartcard Project.

Prior to this role he has worked in local authorities in Newport South Wales, and High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire and also worked at The Queen’s University in Belfast in a research capacity.

Vince was Chair of the Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association between July 2005 – July 2007.

Service Director: Arts, Culture and Leisure, Wakefield Council

Julie is responsible for the strategic development and delivery of a range of services including sport and leisure sites, libraries, theatres, town halls, museums, parks, festivals and a range of outreach development services.

Julie has worked in local government in the North East for 24 years in a range of roles at District, Unitary, City and County level. Achievements include a number of major physical and social regeneration projects, and more recently a range of challenging, but creative projects to manage services on reduced funding. Julie is passionate about the role culture and sport can have on creating healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities.

Julie took part in the CLOA/Sport England commissioning project and has used this experience to work with partners to establish an increasingly confident and independent Active Durham Partnership.

Julie’s pronouns are she/her

Director of Culture, Leisure, Music and Tourism, Southend on Sea City Council

Director of Culture, Leisure, Music and Tourism, Southend‑on‑Sea City Council

Aida is a cultural strategist and senior public sector leader whose work sits at the intersection of culture, place, community, and creative economy. Aida leads the city’s cultural vision, visitor economy and creative sector development, with a portfolio spanning Libraries, Leisure, Heritage & Museums, Contemporary Art, Southend Pier & Foreshore and City Events.

Her work centres on placemaking and inclusive growth, positioning culture as a catalyst for regeneration, identity, and community resilience. Known for her collaborative, people-centred leadership style, Aida works with partners across sectors to ensure culture and creativity are accessible, meaningful and embedded in everyday life.

Aida’s pronouns are she/her

Cultural Services Manager - Calderdale Council,

Bobsie has responsibility for libraries, museums, theatres, cultural strategy and development.

She has a wealth of experience working for local government, starting in education, moving into finance, strategy and policy, community development and the last 20 years within the cultural sector.

Bobsie is passionate about open access for all, championing creative and active communities and proud to be a public servant.

Bobsie is also Vice Chair of Creative Lives – a UK and ROI organisation advocating and supporting community and volunteer-led creative activity.

Bobsie’s pronouns are she/her

Head of Arts, Culture and Library Services, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council

Caroline is Head of Arts, Culture and Library Services within local government in Wales. Her service areas include the Arts Service and its two local authority run theatres and a creative wellbeing centre; the Libraries Service and its 3 area and 10 branch libraries, including customer service provision; and a Community Development Team and the development of community resilience hubs, including community asset transfer, resident support, and sustainable food and age-friendly communities. Caroline has worked within local government for 17 years.

Caroline is Chair of the Chief Culture Officers Wales Forum, representing the sector in Wales on the Executive.

She holds an MSc in Public Service Management and is an alumna of the National Culture Forum’s Leading Learning Programme. She is a Community Governor of a Welsh-language primary school in south Wales.

Caroline wants to ensure that the value of the cultural sector is fully recognised for the support it provides to thriving, resilient communities; positive health and wellbeing; and a sense of place and belonging.

Caroline’s pronouns are she/her

Culture & Leisure Development Manager, Norwich City Council

Clare has over 15 years’ experience working in local government, bringing a strong track record in culture, leisure, and events. She recently led a £7.8 million capital redevelopment project to transform The Halls, a Grade I scheduled ancient monument, into an ambitious, multi-use venue that is inclusive, fit-for-purpose, and sustainable for future generations.

Clare is highly regarded for her collaborative approach, working effectively with partners to deliver a wide range of cultural, creative, sport and active opportunities. She contributes to the wider strategic landscape as a member of the Creative City Compact, LCEP, and the Norfolk and Suffolk Culture Board.

Clare’s pronouns are she/her

Corporate Director - Lee Valley Regional Park Authority

Dan joined the LVRPA in January 2003 and he has held a number of positions over more than two decades in the leisure sector and achieved an MSc in Management from the University of Hertfordshire.

Dan worked and lead on a variety of Olympic projects including the design of the Authority’s three Olympic venues, coordinated the Olympic Park transformation for the Authority and was project Director for the recent £30million Ice Centre redevelopment in East London.

Dan leads the Authority major events programme and lead the procurement of the new 10 year Leisure Services Contract for the six sporting venues.

Dan’s pronouns are he/him

Head of Arts and Culture, Dacorum Borough Council

Diana is a local government leader with 20+ years’ experience across culture, wellbeing, leisure and events.

She is currently at Dacorum Borough Council where she recently spear headed the launch of a new Arts and Culture Strategy and enjoys a varied remit including heritage, theatre, creative health and Public Art.

Diana wants to ensure that amid the wide-ranging priorities and pressures faced by Local Government, the intrinsic value of arts and creativity is recognised and celebrated.

Diana’s pronouns are she/her

Assistant Director – Community and Leisure, Basildon Borough Council

Grant is a seasoned local government officer and a graduate in Community Development and Leadership, bringing a wealth of experience across a broad spectrum of skills and competencies. His expertise spans project and performance management, community development and co-production, grant-making, commercial operations, and the planning, delivery, and evaluation of events.

Currently serving as the Assistant Director for Community and Leisure at Basildon Borough Council, Grant has dedicated the past 21 years to the authority. In this role, he oversees a diverse portfolio including the borough’s leisure contract, theatre operations, health partnerships, Environmental Health, and community development and inclusion initiatives.

Grant’s pronouns are he/him

Active Communities Manager - Oxford City Council

Hagan is responsible for the Active Communities, which include leisure and its transformation towards an active wellbeing service, sport, physical activity, community centres, youth activities and sustainable food. This has included the delivery of new swimming pools, community centres and more recently the delivery and mobilisation of the Council’s new leisure contract as well as ongoing work on a new youth hub. He has worked in local government for over 34 years in various operational and strategic roles, starting off as a lifeguard and fitness instructor. Hagan is passionate about working in partnership, particularly with our communities and supporting those who need it most, with an aim of trying to reduce stubborn health inequalities.

Hagan’s pronouns are he/him

Head of Healthy Communities & Public Protection - Carmarthenshire County Council

Ian has been a Head of Service with Carmarthenshire County Council since 2006, having first joined the authority in 1995 as a Sports Outreach worker. His portfolio includes Outdoor Recreation, Cultural Services, Sports & Leisure Services, School Catering and Public Protection functions. Ian has been responsible for bringing over £100m of investment into his service during his time with Carmarthenshire, whilst securing accreditation for many of his services and increasing user numbers, income, and profile. He is currently chair of the Chief Leisure Officers forum for Wales (CLOW).

Ian graduated from UWIC (now Cardiff Met) in Cardiff, in 1994 having studied Sport and Human Movement Studies, and has since completed a Masters in Sports Directorship at Manchester Metropolitan University. A keen sportsman, Ian gained a Wales U18 Soccer Cap, and a Wales Youth Rugby cap, before moving into coaching, becoming the Head Coach of the Wales U19 Rugby side, and remains actively involved in community football coaching roles outside of work. He is married with two children and enjoys socialising, attending major events, keeping fit, and eating out.

Ian’s pronouns are he/him

Project Manager: Place Making - Creative Health & Wellbeing, Suffolk County Council

Jayne is currently Project Manager: Place Making – Creative Health & Wellbeing for Suffolk County Council. Jayne is a determined advocate for the arts. She has a reputation for developing innovative, effective, collaborative projects that deliver positive change.

Jayne led the development of the Norfolk & Suffolk Culture Board with Norfolk County Council and coordinates, with NCC, the Board’s work on Creative Health, Growth, Innovation and Environment.

Jayne is currently working on the development of Creative Health, SCC’s Culture Project Fund and she leads the development of Screen Suffolk.

Jayne was the Chair of a-n The Artists Information Company until 2014 – 2022 and she was Chair of Home Live Art 2007 – 2017.

Jayne’s pronouns are she/her

Head of Culture and Visitor Economy - Barnsley MBC

Jon has been at Barnsley Council for two years running a portfolio of services including museums.

He spent eight years working for the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council; including CEO of MLA West Midlands. He set up a successful consultancy company in 2012 working with cultural institutions across Australia, alongside running a heritage service.

Jon returned to the UK as Head of Culture in Preston, leading the initiation of a major capital project at The Harris. In 2018 he joined Bristol as Head of Culture and Creative Industries and was integral to the response to the Colston Statue toppling. He is Chair of the English Civic Museums Network.

Jon’s pronouns are he/him

Activity & Creativity Lead, Redditch Borough & Bromsgrove District Councils

Jonathan oversees sports and culture development services at Redditch Borough and Bromsgrove District Councils. He is a founding partner on Redditch’s new Creative People and Places programme and currently directs the Cultural Compact for North East Worcestershire. He co chairs the West Midlands Cultural Compact’s Network, sits on the board member of Motionhouse, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and represents Selly Oak Constituency on Birmingham City Council’s Stronger Communities Panel. He previously sat on the boards of Audiences Central and Arts Development UK and chaired the national advisory group for Voluntary Arts England (now known as Creative Lives) as well as Worcestershire’s Rural Touring Network “Shindig”.

Jonathan’s pronouns are he/him

Chief Culture Officer, Medway Council

Paul is a senior strategic leader working at the intersection of culture, place and community. With over 20 years in local government, he specialises in turning cultural ambition into practical delivery, shaping services across culture, libraries, heritage and tourism to drive regeneration, wellbeing and growth. He is known for building influential partnerships, securing investment and leading change at scale. Paul is a passionate advocate for cultural access and outdoor work, has a long standing love of live events and performance, reflecting his belief in the power of shared cultural experiences to bring people together.

Paul’s pronouns are he/him

Culture and Community Development Manager - Oxford City Council

Paula has worked in local government for over 8 years and is currently responsible for a range of services in Oxford including Museum of Oxford (MOX), Events, Arts Development, International Links, Community Grants/Fundraising and EDI. She is the Chair of the Oxford Cultural Partnership and Big Ideas networks, on the Steering Group for Oxford’s Cultural Programme and a trustee of the Magna Carta Trust.

Previously, she has been the Director of Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Theatr Brycheiniog and Salisbury Arts Centre and has also run many large and smaller scale festivals and events. She is a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ inclusion.

Paula’s pronouns are she/her

Service Director, Culture Sport and Tourism, Rotherham Council

Polly leads on culture, heritage, leisure, green spaces and events at Rotherham Council, where she has led the delivery of a new Cultural Strategy which included playing host to the Women’s Euros in 2022, becoming the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture in 2025, and investment in the entire libraries’ estate, including the delivery of 5 new libraries. She’s currently leading on an Improvement Plan for Green Spaces.

Previously, Polly worked in local government in Blackpool, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Poole, and North Ayrshire. She is passionate about the power of creativity, physical activity and nature to transform lives, build skills and bring communities together. Polly is a Fellow of the Clore Leadership Programme, an occasional facilitator for Windsor Leadership Trust and a former Vice-Chair of CLOA.

Polly’s pronouns are she/her

Managing Director Culture and Heritage Services, Bath & North East Somerset Council

Rob has worked in the Museum and Heritage industry since 2005. This has included delivery of the ‘Lord Ashcroft Gallery’ at the Imperial War Museum and the renovated interpretive experience at Stonehenge for English Heritage. In 2017 Rob took on the role of Director of Curatorial and Museums for Sydney Living Museums in Australia, where he had operational, curatorial and commercial oversight of 12 historic properties. In his current role he overseas the operations of B&NES Council’s heritage assets including the Roman Baths. Rob is interested in the creation of innovative museum and heritage experiences that maximise commercial return, social impact and emotional outcomes for the widest possible audience.

Rob’s pronouns are he/him

Head of Culture and Creative Economy, Coventry City Council

Head of Culture and Creative Economy at Coventry City Council

Salla is an experienced senior leader in the culture and creative industries sector, currently working as the Head of Culture and Creative Economy at Coventry City Council. Her previous roles include Strategic Lead for Culture at WMCA and a senior manager at Arts Council England. Salla has over 25 years of experience in working in the cultural sector and is currently a Creative Health Champion for National Centre or Creative Health and a Fellow of Royal Society of Arts. She holds an MBA from Aston Business School (2023), and MA in Arts Management and BA in film production.

Salla’s pronouns are she/her

Assistant Director Recreation, Castle Point Borough Council

With a career in the recreation industry spanning back to age 16, Shane joined Castle Point Borough Council in 2003. In his current role, he’s leading the transformation of the council’s in-house leisure and community provisions and open spaces into active wellbeing hubs. He also leads events programming and aims to maximise both social value and commercial income across the portfolio..

Shane serves as the lead officer for the Sport England Place Expansion in Canvey Island, Essex, demonstrating his passion for driving place-based change and strengthening local partnerships to benefit communities.

Shane’s pronouns are he/him

Wellbeing Manager, Cherwell District Council

Tom leads the Wellbeing service, covering areas such as Active Communities, Healthy Place Shaping, Community Development, Physical Activity, Health Prevention, Sustainable Food, and Arts and Culture. With 16 years in local government, he has developed place-based health prevention programmes using a whole systems approach to tackle inequalities through physical activity and community empowerment.

Tom recently supported District Councils Network as a Leisure Advisor and is passionate about working in partnership with organisations and communities most in need to reduce health inequalities and help enable stronger and more connected communities.

Tom’s pronouns are he/him

Cultural Placemaking Officer - Reading Borough Council

Zsuzsi is the Cultural Placemaking Officer for Reading Borough Council, supporting both the Cultural Services and the Housing and Development Team.

She has worked in the creative sector for the last 20 years in both in the UK and abroad. As a result of her experiences, she has developed a passion for delivering and designing cultural projects with social impact outcomes. Seeing first-hand the impact that cultural projects can have on wellbeing, sense of self and place, community building and academic achievement.

Outside of her role as Cultural Placemaking Officer she is a mum of three, founder of the Reading Fringe Festival, space animator, Trustee for Ironclad, planet protector and keen novice biker.

Zsuzsi is our Equality Champion and leads a working group on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Zsuzsi’s pronouns are she/her

Forward meeting plan	Location
Friday 18^th September 26 1030-1530	Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham
Monday 18^th January 27 0930-1230	virtual via Teams
Thursday 29^th April 27 0930-1230	virtual via Teams