Our Team

Ellen joined Clore Leadership in October 2022 as Administration and Communications Executive. She has a BA in History of Art from the University of Manchester and an MA in History of Art from UCL. Before moving to London Ellen worked on several projects supporting the arts in her local community including the New Mills Festival and Derbyshire Open Arts.

Freya joined Clore Leadership in August 2019 as Administrator and is now Programmes Coordinator (Engagement). She proactively supports the delivery, coordination and management of a dynamic range of Clore Leadership programmes and activities, with a focus on impact assessment, digital engagement and communications. Aside from Clore Leadership, Freya is training to be a sex and relationship therapist, having enrolled on Clinical Sexology Diploma in September 2021 with the Contemporary Institute of Clinical Sex Therapy. Freya joined the team after working in events management for five years at various not for profit, cultural and commercial environments such as the Science Museum, The O2 and Somerset House Trust. She previously completed her Joint Honours BA in History of Art and English Literature at the University of Birmingham. Freya is an alto singer with the Royal Choral Society, and sings in venues like the Royal Albert Hall, the Barbican, Winchester Cathedral and Southwark Cathedral.

Helen Lewandowski joined Clore Leadership as Programmes Manager in April 2023. She was previously Programme Manager at Culture24 where she managed a portfolio of national and international cohort training programmes for arts and heritage organisations and coordinated a sector support programme funded by Arts Council England. Prior to this Helen worked at Tate Britain and Tate Modern in the national partnerships team. She coordinated the Subject Specialist British Art Network, programming activities and events that shared expertise, research and ideas on British Art. She worked with a wide range of partners and stakeholders to deliver two UK wide painting tours and a sector support training programme on sharing works of art. Helen previously worked at the V&A, where she administered research secondments, fellowships and visiting scholar programmes

Hilary Carty was appointed Director of Clore Leadership in September 2017. Hilary Carty is the Executive Director, Clore Leadership, a role she took up after six years as a consultant, facilitator and coach specialising in leadership development, management and organisational change. Rooted within the arts and cultural industries, Hilary drew on her creative acumen and experience to co-create bespoke interventions for an eclectic range of sectors and businesses. Prior to working independently, Hilary was the Director of the Cultural Leadership Programme a £22m government investment in excellence in leadership within the UK cultural sector. Hilary’s earlier roles include Director, London (Arts) at Arts Council England; Director, Culture and Education at London 2012; Director of Dance for Arts Council England; and HLF London Committee Member. As Visiting Professor, Hilary lectured on leadership in universities in Austria and Germany between 2011 – 2017. In recognition of her contribution to the arts, culture and heritage, Hilary has been awarded Honorary Doctorates from the University of Westminster, De Montfort and Middlesex Universities, Honorary Fellowship of Goldsmith’s University of London and inaugural membership of the Circle of Cultural Fellows at King’s College London, and Research Fellow of its Business School. Hilary is a Governor of the Royal Ballet.

Jonathan joined Clore Leadership in March 2020. His career began with positions at the Cheltenham and Bath Festivals before moving to the USA, where he worked in the management team of both the Chicago and Pittsburgh Symphonies. Returning to the UK in 2008, he worked in producing roles at the Barbican and Southbank Centre prior to six years at Arts Council England. During his time at ACE he led on policy and investment strategy for orchestras as well as participating in the the Clore Emerging Leaders programme. He was Director of Residencies and Regional Programme with the Philharmonia Orchestra from 2016-2020.

Kate joined Clore Leadership in March 2020 from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, where she worked for 11 years in the Learning & Participation team. As Head of Community & Professional Development, Kate was responsible for leading the conservatoire’s music work with adult learners in the community, professional development for the workforce and support for students. Prior to this Kate worked at Sound Connections managing a wide range of workforce development initiatives and at Drake Music as their London Manager.

Lauren is currently the acting Communications Manager for Clore Leadership. Lauren is a freelance arts, media and culture communications specialist with over 20 years experience. Prior to freelancing, she spent a decade working at the BBC managing communications across various divisions including arts, science, history, children’s and BBC Films. Prior this, Lauren was Senior Press Officer at the Science Museum, where she led the PR for its Dana Centre adults-only event space; designed and created the UK’s first light therapy lounge and founded the museum’s Smart Toy Awards. She has also worked in a start-up PR agency working on campaigns for the likes of Rankin, David Bailey, the Contemporary Art Society and Proud Galleries. Lauren has BA Hons in History & History of Art from the University of Birmingham and is also RHS-qualified garden designer.

Lucy joined Clore Leadership in January 2022 as Programmes Assistant. She has an undergraduate and a Masters degree in Art History and studied for a time in Venice, Italy – returning to work at La Beinnale di Venezia over one summer. She conducted extensive research and assisted in curation at the York Art Gallery, and further developed her arts administrative experience at arts institutions such as Hauser & Wirth and Medway Arts Council.

Nicola has extensive experience working in Participatory Arts, having headed up the Creative Learning Department at the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth, then producing a wide range of music education events and programmes with Newham Music. Some of her proudest moments was project managing the award winning ‘Full Circle – Newham’s Community Opera’, culminating in the massed performance at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Music for Youth Proms. Outside of working hours, you can find her either at a theatre with a last minute ticket, singing with Ready Singer One (London’s Nerdiest Choir!) or home with a foster cat from London Inner City Kitties.

Rebecca was appointed Finance Manager of Clore Leadership in April 2012 and has responsibility for all financial aspects of the organisation. She has extensive experience of financial management in the arts and cultural sector, having previously worked at ABL Cultural Consulting and as a freelance consultant. During her time at ABL, Rebecca provided financial expertise to a broad range of high-profile projects and clients including the redevelopment of St Luke’s Church for the London Symphony Orchestra. Prior to moving into the arts sector, Rebecca worked at Ernst & Young where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant, and then at GE Capital specialising in international corporate and project finance. She left the world of corporate finance in order to pursue an MA in History of Fine and Decorative Arts. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales.

Rebecca joined Clore Leadership in April 2021 as Communications Manager. Rebecca is an experienced marketing and communications professional with a demonstrated history of working in the performing arts sector, for organisations such as Theatre503, Polka Theatre and most recently, Theatre Peckham. In summer 2019, she produced the inaugural Peckham Previews Youth Festival; a week-long showcase of work by emerging artists, platforming diverse and unique voices aimed at young people and their families.

Shelley Pearson joined Clore Leadership in 2018 as the Fellowship Coordinator. Shelley graduating with a Degree in Fine Art from De Montfort University Leicester and joined the Civil Service. Following a move to London from North Yorkshire, she worked in Whitehall for the Department for Work & Pensions and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. At DCMS Shelley directly supported five Culture Ministers as Assistant Private Secretary/Diary Manager. Whilst at DCMS Shelley went on secondment to the Royal Parks where as Arts Manager she project managed the event FUSE in Kensington Gardens which received an Inspire Mark and worked on the outdoor Anish Kapoor exhibition. On her return to DCMS Shelley worked closely with the Permanent Secretary on London 2012. Shelley left the Civil Service to travel and on returning to the UK worked with the Exec Team at Southbank Centre and Royal Opera House. Shelley recently trained to be a Coach with RD1st and is currently a practicing Coach ( with L plates )

Sophie joined Clore in September 2019 as a Bookkeeper where she keeps track of the day to day finances. She has worked as an accounts assistant since 2013 and in early 2019 qualified with the AAT level 2 certificate in accounting . She is very interested in the arts having graduated from the University of East Anglia with a degree in drama, and trained as an actor at Drama Studio London. Currently she also works as a freelance actor and musician.