Who We Are

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 Forward, Help Musicians, Foundation for Future London, Arts Council England), Claire has over 25 years experience in the sector.

Liz Hunter-Gray

Director of Strategy, Operations & Impact

Liz has had a career in local and central government, focusing on advocacy, strategy and advisory roles. This has included being Private Secretary to a number of Secretaries of State, and managing the Communities, Local Government Reform and Devolution programme at the Treasury. Since Autumn 2022, Liz has worked for Culture Chelmsford, leading on governance and operations, as well as Ignite Chelmsford, supporting the local creative community.

Emma Barrow

Fundraising Manager

Emma Barrow is experienced in running cultural programmes, marketing, communications and fundraising for well-being and cultural organisations.

Sarah Barfoot

Interim Chair

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.

Jaiden Buck-Auld

Trustee

Since 2015, Jaiden has worked with many local youth and cultural organisations such as New Generation Development Agency, Young Essex Assembly, YMCA, Action For Family Carers and the Museum of Chelmsford.

Jaiden is also a long-serving member of Spark! youth forum, plus a board member of Chelmsford City Ethnicities Partnership (CCEP). As a local entrepreneur, Jaiden established Night Til Dawn in 2023 to connect local communities, promote culture and heritage through music events and projects.

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.

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.

Gurpreet Tumber

Trustee

Gurpreet is an experienced educator with 15 years in primary education; she also teaches English to migrant women and leads youth and community programs. As a forest school leader and Bhangra dance instructor, Gurpreet utilises arts and nature to foster connections and build confidence. She is passionate about celebrating diversity and working collaboratively to create inclusive, positive change across communities.

Adam Wood

Trustee

Adam is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) who is currently System Engineering Lead and Product Design Authority for Teledyne e2v. As a volunteer, he is also a STEM Ambassador, a former President of the Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society (CSES) and a governor of Chelmsford County High School for Girls (CCHS). As a Spark! Champion, Adam brings experience of engaging the community in, and promoting the cultural importance of, science, technology and creativity.

Ben Backhouse

Friend of Culture Chelmsford

Ben was a Trustee of Culture Chelmsford for 8 years, and in recognition of his commitment to the Trust, becomes a Friend of Culture Chelmsford.

As Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Backhouse Solicitors Ltd. in Chelmsford. Ben 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.

Mark Walmsley

Friend of Culture Chelmsford

Mark was Culture Chelmsford’s second Chair and, in recognition of his commitment to the Trust, becomes the charity’s second Friend of Culture Chelmsford. Mark Founded 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.

Roy Clare, CBE, DL

Friend of Culture Chelmsford

Roy was Culture Chelmsford’s first Chair and, in recognition of his commitment to the Trust, becomes the charity’s first Friend of Culture Chelmsford.