Open Doors board
Our board reviews and approves plans, monitors activity, and ensures our project goals are achieved.
They help us to meet our commitments to funders, stakeholders, and the people of Newark and Sherwood by:
- being welcoming and inclusive
- providing creative opportunities for people of all ages and abilities
- producing creative and cultural activities that enrich the lives of local people
Below is a message from our chair, Helen Rushby:
I would like to introduce myself as Chair of the Open Doors Board, along with the other board members. Collectively, we have experience working across the arts, music, education, environmental initiatives, and charities, bringing together our varied experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. This wealth of knowledge and representation helps to support the running of the Open Doors programme.
Meeting five times a year, we provide effective governance and oversight of the project's activities, operations, and finance. We also ensure that Arts Council England’s investment principles are reflected in the activities, culture, and working practices within the Heritage and Culture Team. Thanks to the hard work of our staff, freelancers, and partners, we have delivered many successful activities over the last three years.
I hope you will continue to enjoy our programme of activities over the next couple of years, and please let us know which ones you like best!
Helen Rushby — Chair, Finance and Risk Committee Member
Before retiring in 2015, Helen was the People Development Manager at English Heritage for ten years. Prior to this, Helen jointly ran a small business and gained six years of experience operating an acting agency that covered theatre, film, TV and video.
She also provided consultancy and training across the public and commercial sectors, with a special focus on social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations. From 2001 to 2010, Helen was Vice-Chair on the Board of Warley Woods Community Trust in Smethwick, West Midlands. She secured Heritage Lottery Funding and transferred the running of the 100-acre community park from council-run to a now-community charity.
Since retiring, Helen has been actively involved with the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline and acted as a business mentor for the King’s (then Prince’s) Trust from 2015 to 2019. She is currently Chair of Governors at Kirklington Primary School, having acted as a school governor since 2018.
Dale Shaw — Vice Chair, Finance and Risk Committee Member
Dale’s background is in senior management, with significant experience in both the nuclear and power generation sectors. Dale currently sits on boards for both charitable and educational organisations and is passionate about helping young people receive development opportunities.
Helene Burd — Board Member, Finance and Risk Committee Member
After growing up in Sweden, Helene studied at the London School of Economics and the University of Nottingham. She has worked for the British Council, both in the UK and abroad. She is currently a Senior Quality and Standards Advisor for Nottingham Trent University, working on course design and approval, as well as policy development.
Helene was previously an Accreditation Manager for the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IoM3). She has visited universities and companies in the UK and abroad, accrediting courses and graduate training schemes against the UK Engineering Council’s professional standards.
Helene has extensive experience working with a range of diverse groups. This includes her voluntary work as Chair of Collingham and District Pre-School, a Governor at John Blow Primary School, a founding member of the Collingham and District Local History Society, and as Editor of the Fleet Magazine. Her work has also included supporting post-sixteen learners with basic maths and literacy skills at the Hill Holt Wood social enterprise.
Robert Winterton — Board Member, Dynamism Champion, Finance and Risk Committee Member
Robert has worked in sales, business development, and management, and is greatly experienced in these areas. More recently, Robert worked as a Business Development Consultant within the charity sector.
Currently, Robert is a trustee for High Ground, a services charity focusing on horticultural therapy and rural employment, a school trustee, and is working to become a magistrate. He has also worked as a business development consultant for the wealth and institutional fund management sector, focusing on charities and not-for-profit organisations.
Lucy Reid — Board Member, Ambition and Quality Champion
Lucy has spent her working life in music education. She started as a peripatetic woodwind and piano teacher, and in 2001, began her journey with Nottinghamshire County Council's Arts Support Service. She later became a training co-ordinator and went on to lead the Instrumental Teaching Service.
In 2017, Lucy became Music Services Manager for Inspire: Culture, Learning, and Libraries, incorporating the teaching service for Nottinghamshire. She is also the lead officer for the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Music Hub. Lucy continues to teach in primary and secondary schools. Through this work, Lucy has developed a strong understanding of the requirements of a National Portfolio Organisation. She is also Chair of the Board of Directors for East Midlands NPO, mjazz.
Dot Varney — Board Member, Inclusivity and Relevance Champion
Dot has gained significant experience in heritage and theatre through her hobbies and career—from acting to stage direction, costumed interpretation, and education. She has a degree in History, Museums and Heritage Studies, along with a postgraduate qualification in Heritage Tourism.
Dot has worked in a variety of paid and voluntary roles within the heritage sector. This includes positions with the National Trust, Historic Royal Palaces, and the National Maritime Museum. Informed by her own experiences of living with disabilities, Dot believes that arts and culture should be accessible and enjoyed by everyone.
Grahame Willis — Board Member
Grahame is a musician and peripatetic music teacher working with young people and is committed to making culture more accessible.
Connected with numerous performance groups, including choral and operatic societies, Grahame is an experienced performer. He knows first-hand the benefits of music education, such as skills and personal development, along with the value of investing in the next generation of audiences and professionals.
Fiona Theokritoff — Board Member, Environment Responsibility Champion
Based in Newark since 2002, Fiona is a freelance poet, writing mentor, and creative writing tutor. She currently works as a tutor with Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries, and is involved with local creative initiatives, including Newark Book Festival.
Her first degree was in Environmental Science and Ecology, which is useful in her role as an Open Doors Environmental Responsibility Champion. She has previously worked in children’s publishing and as a complementary health practitioner, and is experienced in programming community arts, cultural events, and workshops.
Since gaining her MA in Creative Writing from Nottingham Trent University in 2019, she has established a varied writing practice, which is currently focused on work inspired by science.
Catherine Lester — Board Member
Catherine graduated with an MA in Heritage and Interpretation Studies in 2019. She currently works as a school librarian in Grantham and has previously worked as a Heritage Officer at Burghley House and for Surrey County Libraries.
Catherine gained experience in theatre through undergraduate training and volunteering. She has previously worked for local government and heritage sites, and sees great potential in both history and theatre for inspiring and bringing communities together.
Councillor Rowan Cozens — Board Member
Rowan is a versatile musician whose career spans performance, education, and international adjudication. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Rowan studied both viola and piano. She achieved teaching and performing diplomas in each instrument, alongside a Graduate of the Royal Schools of Music (Hons) degree.
As a performer, Rowan has worked extensively as a chamber musician and orchestral player, including a period based in Paris. Her career has included roles such as pianist for the Royal Ballet School, accompanist for the Royal Air Force, and long standing collaborator with the Oasby Music Group.
Rowan is widely recognised as an adjudicator, working nationally and internationally, and serves as Lead Adjudicator for the Young Musician of the Gulf. Since 1993, Rowan has also been closely associated with The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, travelling across the world on behalf of the organisation.
Alongside performing and examining, Rowan has built a distinguished teaching career, serving as Head of Music in both private and state schools. They now run a thriving private teaching practice and remain a committed advocate for ensuring high quality music education is accessible to all.
Holly Gillanders — Board Member
Holly grew up in Newark, the town her family has lived in for generations. Alongside her professional acting career, Holly has worked as a participation producer, project manager, and education programme manager for several National Portfolio Organisations. This includes the Royal Ballet and Opera, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the Ministry of Stories.
Through this work, Holly has connected schools, young people, families and community groups with the arts, creating authentic, fun, and enriching experiences. She also gained event management experience through her work with the Newark-based company Accept Management.
Her passion for the arts was ignited while working with amateur theatre and dance companies in Newark. More recently, Holly has worked with the Royal Albert Hall and Historic Royal Palaces.