Since its inception in 1966, Harrogate International Festivals has fired up hearts and minds, revolutionising the cultural landscape of this Yorkshire spa town.Since joining the Festivals in 2003, the calendar of events has been augmented by the critical successes of the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Salon North, Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival and Harrogate History Festival. Our strategic development has created a portfolio of some of the country’s most prestigious arts events, maintaining our position not only as one of the UK’s national festivals, bringing international excellence and innovation to the region, but as a key cultural provider for Yorkshire throughout the year.

Responsible for general operations of all Festival events collaborating with the CEO to determine programmes for established and new events around the calendar to develop the Festivals as a creative arts organisation at the heart of the cultural, economic and community generation within Yorkshire. Key areas of responsibility included:* Leading the organisation through key transitional periods of growth and development including the growth of the team, planning, developing and implementing strategy for organisational development through the development of communications systems and staff development.* Growing and managing the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, developing the Crime Festival into the world’s leading crime fiction event, increasing revenue and overall sales. * Maintaining financial control of budgets, ensuring revenue is maximised and delivery is in line with Festival objectives* Leading and managing the Festival's marketing & communications strategy, development and delivery. Creating a marketing and communications strategy to lead all elements of the Festival’s delivery within all areas of marketing and communications.

Responsible for programming and delivering music projects to disadvantaged young people across North Yorkshire who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in the arts. Working within a multi-agency framework of partners and funders this small project is now a stand-alone charitable organisation delivering projects across North Yorkshire to vulnerable and 'at-risk' young people.

JAC is a privately owned, forward thinking travel group that works in close partnership with its clients. I created JAC 'Live' a unique special interest department catering for high level performance tours and artists, building the annual turnover to £1m within 2 years through a focus on sales, client development and high quality service.

Running and managing special-interest tours and UK arts Festivals as part of a Kuoni Independent Business Unit. Sales, Business Development and Operational Delivery were key to the success of this IBU within an award-winning travel company.