Board biographies

From left to right: Khan, Glyn, Helen A, Mijanou, Natasha, Helen D, Nir, Fidel, Chris, Claire

Mijanou Blech, Chair

Mijanou has over 25 years of experience in the community arts sector and has run both small arts charities and run large departments in both regeneration and cultural organisations.

Glyn Everett

Glyn is a researcher at UWE working in the Department of Architecture & the Built Environment at UWE. As a wheelchair-user, he is involved with the charity Attitude is Everything, working with venues to negotiate improvements to access and provide training.

Fidel Meraz

Fidel is an architect passionate about architectural philosophy and education who has been teaching for several years in both Mexico and the UK. Currently Senior Lecturer at UWE Bristol Architecture, he has also taught in University of Suffolk designing, validating and leading the programme of Interior Architecture and Design.

Helen Ashley

Easton resident Helen has managed communications and marketing for national and international charities and is passionate about engaging harder to reach communities in the work of organisations she is involved in.

Alex Bradley

Alex has been working as an independent artist for many years, practising across a range of disciplines, creating solo and collaborative works that push and blur the boundaries of live and digital art, sound and light.

Helen Duffy

Senior Evidence Manager, Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC-UKRI) – experience and expertise in evaluation, impact and social change.

Khan Johnson

Khan is currently studying BEng (Hons) Robotics at UWE - to extend and redefine the boundaries of engineering through hands-on experience and testing inventions whilst using state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

Chris Luffingham

Deputy CEO, League Against Cruel Sports, and track record of success in national political campaigns, communications solutions, and project delivery; also well networked in the public and private sectors.

Claire McAlpine

Joint Head of Social Change Hub, MediaCom2020, improving representation of diversity within advertising and creating partnerships between diverse creators and brands; and Advisory Group member for the Metropolitan Police Community Communications.

Natasha Nanuck

Senior Regulatory Advisor, Ørsted, focusing on climate change and developing renewable energy; and Programme Manager of the Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition.

Nir Paldi

Director, performer, teacher, writer and producer of theatre; and co-artistic director of Ad Infinitum Productions CIO. Also a Trustee at Many Minds, a Mental Health and Performance charity.

Board Advisers

External advisers who work with the board of trustees

Derek Griffin

Derek is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. His employment history includes management accounting for Imperial Tobacco and clinical governance review for the Commission for Health Improvement. He is experienced in conducting internal audits of governance and accounting procedures. Derek has committed to working with the board until 2018 to carry out internal audit and support with the board's development, on a pro-bono basis. He is working to develop internal systems and processes to enable to board to have greater understanding and control of financial and governance matters, in line with Charity Commission guidelines.