David Wilson
David was originally an Actor before moving into producing and management and has enjoyed a varied career through leading cultural and artistic organisations.
After studying Drama and Arts Management at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama he started his own production and training company Actors Workshop, based at Chapter and it is now approaching its 20th year.
He worked for The Cardiff International Festival of Musical Theatre, Moving Being Ltd, Diversions Dance Company and as Deputy Director he coordinated the change of name to National Dance Company Wales.
After joining the Clore Leadership Programme as Arts Council of Wales' Fellow in 2011 he became Proprietor and Co-Founder for Porter's.
Porter's is an arts events led bar and social space in Cardiff. It is a National Runner Up on The Observer / Guardian ‘Best Place to Drink’ Food Monthly Annual awards (2013-2017), Winner of the Best Watering Hole Category at the inaugural Cardiff Life Awards in 2014 and won the PRS Music Makeover for pubs prize in 2017.
In 2015 it welcomed Wales’ first permanent Pub Theatre and ‘The Other Room’ became part of the unique entertainment offer. This partnership won the Arts and Small Business Award from Arts and Business Cymru with The Other Room also being awarded 5 Wales Theatre Awards and it became The Stage’s Fringe Theatre of The Year, the first time this award has been won by a venue outside of London - all in its first year in 2015.
David stepped down from Porter's in 2018 to take up a new challenge and in 2019 was appointed as Theatre Director for Theatr Brycheiniog, an Arts Centre in Brecon in the heart of mid-Wales with 474 seat main stage, 120 capacity studio space and gallery. It has an all year round varied programme of theatre, dance, music and visual art and is a destination for visitors within the Brecon Beacon's National Park.
The Clore Fellowship gives you time to think. It connects you with others and helps you filter more clearly for whats important. The impact is ongoing as the learning and network of excellent support continues, focussing on values, purpose and leadership. It reminds me to challenge what we are doing and how we are doing it.
Change is constant. I am able to see change as an asset and this equips me with the ability to embrace it. Having this approach prepares me for the challenges in our organisations, working with our teams and in creating relationships across the sector and our society.