Meet the team
ANS is a voluntary organisation. Our committee consists of diverse members bringing with them a range of skills including: design, writing, acting, dance, craft, visual arts, local government, arts education, coaching, creative and festival programming, and organisational development.
Executive Committee
The London Borough of Sutton is usually represented by two councillors, currently this support is provided by Cllr Andrew Jenner and Cllr Christopher Woolmer. They sit on the committee as observers. Lord Tope is Patron of the organisation.
Margaret Thomas
Chair
Margaret has been involved in many local arts and culture events in Sutton. She believes a thriving arts and cultural scene is vital for both individual and community development.
Margaret was curator of Whitehall in Cheam for many years, where she gained experience of working with Friends groups, running both historical and cultural activities and setting up a new schools programme. During her time as a library manager in Sutton libraries, Margaret wrote funding bids for Heritage Lottery projects which she managed. Margaret also obtained grants to run art workshops for young people with special needs and held numerous exhibitions.
In 2019 Margaret helped set up the Cryer Arts theatre and organised shows, workshops, exhibitions and children’s activities.
She is a trustee of St Helier Charitable Foundation and was a founder of the St Helier Music Festival. Through this and her working career Margaret has made many contacts with the officers in Sutton Council and Councillors, with whom she have good working relations.
Gemma Baxter
Vice Chair
Gemma is a coach and facilitator, who supports individuals and teams across the arts and charities sectors to address challenges, seek clarity and fulfil their potential.
Committed to contributing to the development of a more equitable arts sector, Gemma founded the SupportSquad as a platform for her and like-minded collaborators to communicate their offer.
Gemma has over 15 years experience of leading career-development and participation projects in the performing arts. Previously she worked at the National Theatre as Workforce Development Manager and Step Change Coordinator; prior to that she held roles at the Royal Opera House, ROH Creative Partnerships and Garsington Opera.
Gemma trained as an Individual Coach with Relational Dynamics and as Systems Coach / ORSC™ practitioner with CRR UK. She is also an Associate facilitator for Tonic, an Executive Committee Member of Arts Network Sutton and a Trustee of Golden Toad Theatre.
Chris Ellis
Treasurer
Chris Ellis is an experienced commercial director of finance and operations in a number of industries. He has worked in print, radio and TV media, technology, telecoms, real estate and financial services’ sectors. A self-confessed live music enthusiast, he is usually found listening to jazz, soul and funk bands at numerous live venues in London. A once part-time actor with the Afro-Sax Theatre Company, he continues to support his children in drama and musical endeavours.
Maggie Cooper
Trustee
Maggie has lived in the borough of Sutton for 15 years. Her children have grown up here and her family are active members of the community. Maggie trained as an opera singer at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Maggie balances her freelance singing career with teaching singing in schools and at home, whilst being a Mum to a 12 and 9 year old. Maggie has taught singing in three of our local state secondary schools and she is currently teaching at Wallington High School for Girls alongside an independent school in central London. In 2018 Maggie co-founded Carshalton Opera with her husband with a mission to produce professional opera productions for our local community, made accessible to all ages.
Maggie has delivered many different outreach projects. She spent five years working with Live Music Now! performing classical music in hospitals, care homes, community centres, schools and prisons. The impact on her professional development was profound.
Maggie is grateful to pursue a career in the arts. Live performance is only the tip of the iceberg and although the background work can be challenging it is a such privilege for Maggie to share her music making and learning. Maggie is passionate to share her skills and time for the enrichment and well being of our community.
Rebecca Olajide
Executive Committee Member - Co Opted
Rebecca Olajide is an ANS committee member and a Learning Resources Producer at the Science Museum (SM). Working across the SM Group’s five museums she oversees the development and delivery of print and digital learning resource aimed at schools, families and community groups. Rebecca previously worked as the Community Partnerships Coordinator, developing networks and partnerships to increase engagement with multiple audiences including those that were currently underserved within the Science Museum’s audience profile. She developed and led a NLHF Arts and Science Health and Wellbeing programme for older adults and people living with Dementia and their companions, oversaw science youth engagement projects and co-creation events for members of the Access Panel.
Prior to working in the museum sector, Rebecca delivered freelance projects for children and young people accessing CAMHS and Young Careers services with the British Film Institute, South London Gallery and the Young Vic Theatre. She also worked with adult mental health service users at Bethlem Art Gallery.
As a Visual Artist Rebecca was previously a member of Alt MFA an alternative ‘Master of Fine Art’ group established by artists for artists as a free alternative to studying a university-based MA in London.
Doug Shaw
Programme Manager
Doug is currently the longest serving member of our team. He takes care of our admin, events organisation, some of our funding bids, and our special projects. As well as being an experienced administrator and project manager, Doug is a freelance organisational development consultant, working with organisations across the UK, Europe, and beyond.
As a Carshalton based visual artist, Doug’s work often reflects where he lives and works, and aspects of his mental health, self-care, and speaking truth to power. He runs and participates in networking events, art workshops, open studios, live painting, and more.
Doug is a member of ArtCan, and Carshalton Artists Open Studios, he has a good understanding of and interest in social media, and runs a thriving Facebook page for his art and community engagement projects.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding Membership or Events please contact us on [email protected]
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Members of ANS are able to meet with like-minded creatives in the Borough at regular networking events, attend free training sessions and make applications to the ANS grant scheme.
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