Who We Are

Culture Chelmsford is an independent charity providing cultural leadership for Chelmsford and its communities. We believe culture is essential to thriving people and places.

Our Vision

A culturally vibrant, inclusive Chelmsford — driven by people, powered by creativity.

Our Approach

We lead by listening, acting, and collaborating. Our work champions youth leadership, community voices, creative industries, and civic partnership.

Our Team & Board

Meet the people behind Culture Chelmsford and hear why culture matters to them.

Claire Gevaux

Chief Executive

Coming soon

  • 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.

Rachel Hopwood

Community Engagement & Programme Manager 

“At Southend Theatres I put together a drama project for people living with dementia. The premise was to recall stories from their life. I was sharing photos of what Southend looked like years ago and a 90-year-old participant lit up as she was able to recall memories of her dancing with her husband at a bandstand. That moment reinforced to me the power that the arts have to really touch people’s lives. I found it incredibly moving, the project was only small, but it had a big impact on the participants and on me as a creative practitioner.”

  • Rachel's background lies in participatory arts, creative learning and outreach across the arts sector. She has established and led outreach and creative learning departments in large-scale regional theatres across Essex for the past 10 years. More recently Rachel has also worked as a freelance community producer producing community arts programmes for marginalised communities in Essex. She also has a strong background and master's degree in drama facilitation awarded by the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. She is excited to be working with Culture Chelmsford to bring together diverse communities and empower them to make positive cultural change in Chelmsford.

Elliot Boakes

Trustee

"Culture has shaped every part of my life — from gaining confidence as a child performing on stage at the Civic Theatre, to my professional life now in creative arts education, supporting the next generation of artists and makers. I believe passionately in the transformative power of the arts to shape lives, inspire creativity, and open opportunities. That’s why I’m committed to helping ensure as many people as possible can access and benefit from it."

  • An experienced senior leader across Higher Education, Elliot is Head of Business Operation at University of the Arts London. Having previously worked at Chelmsford City Council, he played an instrumental role in the creation and establishment of the Trust in 2017, holding the role of Charity Secretary until 2022. As a Trustee, Elliot is passionate about widening access to the arts to as many people as possible.

Gurpreet Tumber

Trustee

“Being born into British culture but rooted in Punjabi heritage has shaped how I live, work and connect with others. Culture grounds me through identity, values and as a bridge between generations and diasporas.

Being part of Culture Chelmsford allows me to share the perspectives of second-generation immigrants and help others feel seen, heard and proud of who they are - especially those who don’t fit into just one box, like myself.

Many of Culture Chelmsford’s projects focus on connection, highlighting and celebrating cultural activities to build understanding, break down barriers, and foster unity - which is exactly why I wanted to be part of this community-led organisation.”

  • 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.

Liz Hunter-Gray

Director of Strategy, Operations & Impact

Coming soon

  • 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.

Sarah Barfoot

Interim Chair

“Culture shapes how I live, work, and play, guiding me to see meaning in every moment, person and place. My career has been built on engaging people with the importance of special places. Sparking curiosity in our past, present, and shaping our future.

We are growing a culture that inspires, shapes, makes, curates, and elevates, and this ethos has become part of who I am. It drives how I collaborate and find joy in shared experiences, and how I see potential in every interaction. Through culture, I’ve learned that connection to people and place is both my passion and profession.”

  • 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.

Stephanie Mitchener

Trustee

Coming soon: away until 29/09

  • 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.

Adam Wood

Trustee

“Being – and feeling – part of something is important. In one sense, culture is whatever brings us together. In my case (as an engineer), I’m very proud to be part of the rich and vibrant culture of shared scientific and technological discovery that we have in Chelmsford and across Essex. It connects me to other people, gives me a sense of purpose and makes me feel strongly included in my home community.”

  • 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.

Emma Barrow

Fundraising Manager

“Culture has shaped both my personal development and professional journey, sparking curiosity and providing endless opportunities to learn and share. It not only enhances individual lives—including mine—but also strengthens communities by offering space for connection, belonging, and positive change. I am passionate about enabling these life-enriching experiences for others, as I believe culture helps us understand ourselves and each other, and brings meaning to our collective story.”

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

Jaiden Buck-Auld

Trustee

“I’m British Caribbean, 3rd Generation Windrush Heritage with a family of Jamaican background. I heavily value cultural representation and showcasing my heritage because that is what makes me who I am today. My characteristics, traits, how I talk, how I dress, and how I navigate my everyday life as authentically as possible creating pathways for different personas based on changing environments, who I am as Jaiden Buck-Auld professionally is different to how my family/friends know me or as people see me in my online presence as the ‘Ragga Enforcer’ the Jamaican DJ/personality.”

  • 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, he established Night Til Dawn in 2023 to connect local communities, promote culture and heritage through music events and projects.

Caroline Porter

Trustee

Coming soon: resent 23/09

  • DescriptCaroline 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.

Meet the Friends of Culture Chelmsford

Ben Backhouse

Former Trustree

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

Former Chair

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

Former Chair

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. 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, London. 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.