Trustees
UK (Global) Board of Trustees
RICHARD MANTLE OBE DL
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Richard Mantle was the General Director of Opera North. His first appointment in the opera field was as Deputy Managing Director at English National Opera, and he has worked atScottish Opera and Edmonton Opera (Canada). He is currently a Director of the National Opera Studio, a member of the General Synod of the Church of England and was awarded an OBE in 2013 for his services to music.
PROF. JAMES THOMPSON
Founder of In Place of War / Academic
Renowned author and Professor of Applied and Social Theatre and Vice President for Social Responsibility at the University of Manchester.
TOM SHORE
International Development & Programmes Specialist
Specialist in programme delivery, advocacy, operations and strategic leadership in the fields of International Development & Culture.
NADIA KHAN
Founder, Women in CTRL
Nadia brings over 20 years of experience in the music industry developing artist careers, talent management and running independent label businesses with a passion for developing talent from the grassroots. An advocate for sharing knowledge and education. As the Founder of Women in CTRL, Nadia is a passionate champion for diversity, equity and inclusion, and her work in promoting gender parity and representation of women in music has been widely recognised, being awarded Outstanding Contribution at the Music Week ‘Women in Music Awards’ in 2021.
DAVE BIANCHI
Artist Manager & Entrepreneur
David is an entrepreneur & music manager who is founder & CEO of Various Artists Management. He has managed Charli XCX, Ashnikko, The Libertines, Killing Joke, Mark Morrison, Supergrass, Echo & The Bunnymen and Seasick Steve.
SELAM MENGISTU (BOARD OBSERVER)
Chair of the Youth Advisory Board
Selam is a London-based cultural producer, comedian, and migrant advocate, who plays a pivotal role at Counterpoints Arts, spearheading the No Direction Home standup comedy series. As a Youth Board member at In Place of War, she emerged from the 100 Agents of Change programme in 2021. Selam's brainchild, Azmari Bet, showcases her Ethiopian heritage, amplifying traditional Ethiopian arts, cuisine, and culture. Through this platform, she empowers marginalised refugee artists, fostering connections between generations and non-Ethiopian communities in celebration of Ethiopia's rich heritage.
ANNA BERENFELD
Financial Philanthropist
Anna’s career sprung from finance into philanthropy across Europe, UK, Russia and the USA. Currently Anna works for Ambassador Ronald S. Lauder on projects around the globe.
DARREN CORMACK
CEO, Mines Advisory Group (MAG)
Darren is CEO of MAG, a global humanitarian charity. Darren holds a first class Master’s in International Management and is an experienced Non-Executive Director. His previous roles include managing a wide range of global environment, conservation & humanitarian projects.
CLAIRE O’NEILL
CEO & Co-Founder of A Greener Future (AGF)
Claire O’Neill is a pioneer in sustainability for the live sector, establishing AGF following her research in 2005. Since then she has worked with the world's leading events and venues such as HM the Queens Platinum Jubilee Pageant, Glastonbury Festival, The O2, BST Hyde Park, UEFA Champions League, ASM Global, AEG and HM the Queens Funeral, and artists such as Bring Me The Horizon and Massive Attack. Claire organises the Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI) & consults as sustainability expert to industry bodies.
JUAN CHAO (board advisor)
Director, Archivo de Música Original (Uruguay)
Juan Chao is a DJ, Music Producer, and creator of the Archivo de Música Original. His work focuses on using technology for the musical preservation of communities at risk of extinction. He has worked with indigenous communities in Africa and the Americas, and his projects include the creation of sampling studios within indigenous territories; digital educational platforms about traditional music; and interactive archives for communities. All actions are developed and designed in conjunction with the communities.
Paul stacey
Founding Director, Reading Rep Theatre
Paul is the Founding Artistic Director of Reading Rep Theatre. Paul built Reading Rep from his £500 overdraft to multi-award-winning producing theatre and cultural hub.
FARAH WARDANI (board advisor)
Director, Laban Theatre (Lebanon)
Farah Wardani is an award-winning professional actress, who has pioneered the use of theatre for social change and activism in Lebanon, via her theatre company Laban. Since 2006, she has worked with over 50,000 men, women and children throughout the country to provide safe spaces for people to express their emotions and reduce their tension, providing a welcome distraction from daily hardships.
Republic of Ireland Board of Trustees
Olga Stuzhinskaya
International Relations and Development Specialist
A specialist in Eastern Europe, South Caucasus & Central Asia, Olga delivers expertise to the EU, international organisations, governments & NGOs. Areas include good governance, empowerment of civil society, participatory policy making, youth sector development and promotion of gender equality & equal rights.
Zoë Seaton
Founder & Artistic Director, Big Telly Theatre Company
Big Telly Theatre are at the forefront of digital & hybrid work, with a focus on live, accessible, interactive experiences, and have received wide international acclaim. Zoë has also just launched INCOGNITO - a fragmented reality experience on a mobile app played in towns/cities, which is a cross between live theatre & a multiplayer game. She was awarded an honorary Doctorate from Ulster University for her contribution & commitment to the dramatic arts in Northern Ireland.
