Who We Are
We are an independent charity. Our objectives are to support and enable development of culture in our city through fundraising and advocacy
As Chelmsford Cultural Development Trust, we are governed by a Board of unpaid volunteer Trustees, who bring strategic vision to the organisation. Their cultural experience spans leadership roles in some of the UK’s most important galleries, museums, heritage sites and charities. We have strong local links with the city council through our Board, as well as specialist expertise in finance, business and HR. We also work closely with other key local organisations across education, business and the arts.
Claire Gevaux
Chief Executive
Claire’s creative and strategic approach empowers artists and arts organisations to understand their purpose and thrive in their careers and lives. Whether it’s funding that comes exactly at the right time in an artist’s life, giving international public art platforms to raise the profile in our cities or leading an innovative research programme in the third sector, Claire strives to make a difference to the lives of creatives in the UK. Working across public (Chelmsford City Council, London Legacy Development and Olympic Delivery Authority) and third sector organisations (Culture Chelmsford, Southampton Cultural Trust, Help Musicians, Foundation for Future London, Arts Council England), Claire has over 25 years experience in the sector.
Our Trustees and Staff
Mark Walmsley
Chair
Mark is the Founder of the The Arts and Culture Network, an award-winning, global community of 15,000 practitioners, professionals, and activists. He is also one of the co-founders at Chufd, the creative social enterprise.
A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Mark is passionate about maintaining and growing arts and cultural opportunities and helping to realise the transformative impact they have.
Ben Backhouse
Trustee
Ben is Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Backhouse Solicitors Ltd. in Chelmsford. He has been involved in running and growing this family-run business from day one, after leaving a Vice-President position with Credit Suisse. Ben is also currently Chairman of the Mid Essex Business Group, a committee of Chelmsford-based business owners and managers.
Sarah Barfoot
Trustee
As an Experience and Visitor Programme Manager for the National Trust, Sarah is focussed on sparking curiosity in the environmental, heritage and cultural delights Essex and Suffolk.
Elliot Boakes
Trustee
An experienced project manager, Elliot is Operations Coordinator at University of the Arts London. As a former employee of Chelmsford City Council, he played an instrumental role in the creation and establishment of the Trust and was Charity Secretary until 2022.
Caroline Porter
Trustee
Caroline is a development professional with over twenty years of fundraising experience, the last twelve of which have been in the cultural sector. As Development Manager for national music charity and producer Orchestras Live, Caroline develops relationships with funders to bring about equity of access to orchestral music, and uses her overview of the arts funding landscape to provide advice to partners. Previously, Caroline held fundraising roles at homelessness charity Crisis and children’s charity Honeypot.
Cllr Julia Frascona
Trustee
As Liberal Democrat Councillor for Trinity Ward, Julia represents Chelmsford City Council on our Board. After a career teaching English Literature in secondary schools in Essex, she brings to us her passion for the arts and education. The City Council runs many of Chelmsford’s cultural assets, including the Civic Theatre, museum and Hylands Estate, so is a key voice as we set our fundraising priorities.
Cllr Marie Goldman
Trustee
Cllr Marie Goldman has been the Deputy Leader of Chelmsford City Council since 2019, where she is also the Cabinet Member for a Better-Connected Chelmsford covering a portfolio that includes arts and culture. Marie is also an Essex County Councillor and the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Chelmsford. She has a background in management consulting and technology and has lived in Chelmsford for over twenty years where she also runs a small business related to the construction industry with her husband.
Stephanie Mitchener
Trustee
Stephanie is an experienced finance professional. Currently Director of Finance at Essex County Council, she has worked in Chelmsford for over 10 years. With previous senior finance experience at two London Boroughs, Stephanie brings to our Board vital knowledge and understanding of strategic financial management and financial frameworks.
Roy Clare, CBE, DL
Trustee Emeritus
Roy was Culture Chelmsford’s inaugural Chair and, in recognition of his commitment to the Trust, is the charity’s first Trustee Emeritus. He has extensive experience leading some of the world’s top museums - Auckland War Memorial Museum in New Zealand and the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. A passionate advocate of digital inclusion and heritage, he brings a fresh perspective on how museums can come alive by focussing on people. Roy is Trustee of five other Boards, including the Good Things Foundation and the Heritage Alliance.