Tony Heaton OBE Chair Expand I was the Chief Executive of Shape Arts from 2008-2017 before stepping down in order to pursue my own projects and consultancy work within the sector, and to become Shape's Chair. Prior to Shape, from 1997-2007, I was the Director of Holton Lee, a 350 acre campus with short stay residential facilities for Disabled people. During this time I led on a 10 year strategic plan and the commissioning and development of the award-winning Faith House Gallery and the Stables Studios. Initiator of the NDACA (the National Disability Arts Collection and Archive), I am also a sculptor (www.tonyheaton.co.uk) and have had a long involvement within the disability arts movement, first exhibiting in 'Out of Ourselves' in 1990, with fellow disabled sculptor Adam Reynolds. My link to Shape goes back to 1986 when working as an artist, and then as Chair (1989-1994) of North West Shape, involved in the transition of the organisation into Full Circle Arts. Little known fact: I used to be an independent record retailer but failed to follow the career path of Richard Branson. I did though manage to sell ace bass player (walk on the wild side) Herbie Flowers a copy of Plant Life, one of his own records!
Robert Davies Expand Robert is a Consultant to the law firms Walbrook Law LLP and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP based in the City of London. He has specialised in employment law since qualifying as a solicitor in 1995. He has represented both private and public sector employers in all aspects of employment law including day-to-day advisory matters, large-scale advisory projects often with an international component, outsourcings, M&A work and defending Employment Tribunal claims, particularly high value discrimination and whistleblowing claims. His employer clients include a national retailer, an international construction and engineering business and an international mortgage servicing business; and he regularly acts for individual clients in the Financial Services, Real Estate and Healthcare sectors. He is a member of the Legislative and Policy Committee of the Employment Lawyers Association, was co-author of the Employment and Pensions section of Butterworth's PFI Manual and contributed to the initial publication of Croner’s Discrimination Law. He has worked extensively with charities throughout his career on a pro bono advisory basis. He is also a trustee of the British Society for Immunology.
James Hodgson Expand James is a Freelance Arts and Fundraising Specialist, and current Managing Director of Sydenham Arts, a combined arts charity operating in South East London. He is also a director of third sector consultancy business 111 Collectiff and a practising artist. James' experience includes working across a range of arts venues, and as a consultant to charities in sectors including criminal justice, the arts, wellbeing, training and social justice within BAMER and marginalised groups. He has overseen major projects including the renovation of Hoxton Hall, a unique Victorian music hall in the heart of East London, and redevelopment and delivery of a Multi Arts festival on the Sussex coast.With a history of working in community-focussed art venues, James is passionate about the promotion of equality and access to the arts for everyone. He is a practising conceptual artist, producing sculptural, performance and visual art, examples of which can be found at www.jameshodgsonart.com. Recent exhibitions include Refraction (Raw Labs, Docklands), and The Leyden Gallery (Whitechapel).
Adeolu Adesola Expand Adeolu works as a junior portfolio manager with Deutsche Alternative Asset Management having joined the wider Deutsche Bank Group in 2012 as a Graduate Analyst. He initially undertook a 1.5 year rotation program before a 2.5 years stint as credit analyst covering various sectors for the European Leveraged and Structured Finance and Dutch MidCap Leveraged Finance businesses in London. Adeolu is an avid supporter of the arts having had previous volunteer experience with Shakespeare’s Globe and the University of Warwick’s One World Week Music Festival.
Owen Kimm Expand Owen is the Marketing and Communications Manager for visionary arts charity Creative Folkestone. He brings to the Shape board almost 10 years of experience from across the arts and culture sector having worked for organisations including Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture, Siobhan Davies Dance, Brunel’s ss Great Britain and more. Owen specialises in digital communications and helping organisations to become more digitally savvy and futureproof. He has a passion for improving access and opportunities for everyone to engage and enjoy the arts. Beyond the world of work, Owen is also a practising artist and musician, although he says that how good he is at either of those things is up for debate!
Jen Clarke Expand Jen Clarke is Legal Counsel at Red Bull Media House UK. Prior to moving in house, she sat in the music team at a London boutique media law firm after training as a solicitor in the City. Jen is a classically trained pianist, vocalist and experienced songwriter and performer. Before studying law she toured with indie bands internationally and released multiple recordings as a solo artist. In her spare time she enjoys yoga, attending visual art exhibitions, and supporting the local music scene. Her favourite London art gallery is the Tate Modern.
Jon Tibbits-Smyth Treasurer and Chair of Finance and HR Subcommittee Expand Jon Tibbits-Smyth is a qualified Charted Accountant. He has worked as an auditor predominately in the charities and social housing sectors for 14 years. He is currently an audit manager at BDO LLP. Jon has also been involved in the delivery of training on charity auditing and accounting matters and was involved in the publication of the Charity Administration Handbook (6th ed).
Michelle Duxbury Expand I am a largely self-taught, working-class, disabled artist based in Leeds. As a disabled person, who has struggled to find their feet in the art world, I hope to advocate for others who find themselves in a similar position, and I feel the best way to be able to do that is to get involved and do what I can to effect change and support organisations that are leading the way in making the art world a more accessible place for us all. I create art under the artist name alabamathirteen, my practice is focused around bodies, spaces and places, both public and private, and how we experience and occupy them both as individuals and as a society. Specifically referencing my own personal limitations navigating and negotiating the spaces and places I occupy as a disabled woman, underpinned by the notion of ‘non-conforming’ bodies as an act of defiance. I work predominantly with photography, embroidery and sound recordings. I am also an Artist Ambassador for Outside In, a national charity that aims to provide a platform for artists who face significant barriers to the art world due to health, disability, social circumstance or isolation.
Jon Dunicliff Expand I have over 30 years experience of partnership working across the public sector. This has ranged from national voluntary organisations, local authorities, and voluntary sector organisations managed, staffed, and controlled by Disabled People.My professional life has been focused on working with Disabled People. I have developed, implemented, managed, and commissioned a wide variety of projects that are at the cutting edge of service development.I am a Disabled Person, I have a strong commitment to social justice, and equal opportunities is an important part of my professional and personal life.I strongly believe that by asserting our place in the arts, we assert the importance of Disability Arts, our culture, and their relevance to the lives of both Disabled People and non-disabled people alike. I am delighted to be able to pursue this belief through my involvement with Shape.
Mandi Stewart Expand Mandi is a disabled artist who specialises in Printmaking. She currently lives between St Ives and London whilst studying a MA in Print at the Royal College of Art where she is a Leverhulme Scholar. Mandi is a largely self-taught artist who turned to printmaking later in life following life changing treatment for cancer. She had previous career as a Welfare Rights worker and a Social Worker. Mandi explores a range of autobiographical and political issues within her practice. Her current work considers identity and the body and through colour, cell, and helix type imagery. Mandi often uses collaged and personal materials within her work and there is frequently reference to disability arts. Mandi currently manages the Disabled Student Network Instagram at the RCA. She has helped develop the network during the past year and is passionate about promoting the work of disabled students and getting Disability Arts a bigger platform both in Universities and galleries. When she is not printmaking Mandi is either gardening, taking photos, or swimming.