Lucy Powrie, Chair of the Board of Trustees Lucy Powrie is an author and award-winning book influencer with 2 million views on her YouTube channel, lucythereader. She has over ten years of experience in creating digital content for book lovers, as well as founding and curating online communities, and is particularly interested in how to reach and engage new audiences using social media. Because of her own autism diagnosis, she is passionate about neurodivergent inclusion in the arts and heritage sector.
Helen Meller, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees Helen Meller is Co-Centre Director of national writing charity Arvon's Lumb Bank and Arvon at Home. She has an extensive track record in the arts and heritage sector in areas including project management, fundraising, strategic development and sustainable business planning. She is committed to reaching new audiences and deepening engagement.
Shahidha Bari Shahidha is an academic, critic and broadcaster. She studied English at King’s College Cambridge and now reviews books for The Guardian and teaches at the University of the Arts London. Shahidha is also a presenter of BBC Radio 3's arts and ideas programme, Free Thinking. She has written a book about the poet Keats, and most recently, “Dressed: The Secret Life of Clothes”. In 2016, Shahidha was awarded The Observer Anthony Burgess Arts Journalism Prize. She's been a judge for the Forward Prizes for Poetry and the Baillie Gifford Non-Fiction Prize. Previous trustee experience includes the educational charity, Arts Emergency.
Laura Beare Laura is a dedicated museum professional with over 10 years’ experience in the sector. Her focus is audience engagement and digital development and she is currently Audience Development Manager at Leeds University Library Galleries. Laura is also the Co-Chair of the Yorkshire Emerging Museum Professionals committee. In this position she's interested in governance, and is implementing a project to become a constituted charity.
Ciara Gallagher Ciara currently holds the position of Head Registrar at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire. She is experienced in all areas of collections management and legal governance of a collection including documentation, collections care, loans, insurance, valuations and legal documentation. She is currently studying with the Institute of Art and Law for a Diploma in Art Law..
Tom Hendry Tom works with the Devonshire Group and is an experienced sustainability practitioner, covering heritage attractions, including retail and the built environment. Proudly queer, he has established the Devonshire Group’s first ever LGBTQ+ Network and is solution-focused and motivated to be a positive force for the Society. Tom is looking forward to his trustee role and to the exciting opportunity for him to develop his skills and knowledge with the Brontë Society.
Penelope Jenkins Having worked as a BBC content producer and a web editor for various educational institutions for many years Penelope is now a novelist, with the thrillers 'My Perfect Sister' and 'Her New Best Friend' under her belt. Hailing from Yorkshire she is a huge Brontë fan and has an academic background in Victorian English literature Penelope brings her experience of being a Vice Chair of School Governors at a primary school, social media marketing and digital development to the board. Penelope is physically disabled and champions diversity. She writes a monthly column on disabilty and publishing issues for 'The Bookseller' magazine.
Ellie Keel Ellie is looking forward to offering the Brontë Society the knowledge and skills gained from her work in the theatre and publishing industries, and her experience of founding and running a charity dedicated to literary excellence and championing female creativity. She hopes to bring energy, insight and enthusiasm to the Brontë Society, and thereby play a part in preserving the Brontës’ unique legacy for generations to come.
Andrew Midgley Andrew is an experienced Chartered Accountant most recently Senior Vice President at Pearson plc responsible for the Group’s financial reporting and managing group finance functions. He has nine years of charity experience as a Trustee and Treasurer of the Design and Technology Association. Andrew grew up in West Yorkshire and now splits his time between there and London. He currently chairs the Finance, Risk and Audit committee.
Julian Sladdin Julian is a solicitor and partner in an international law firm and has over 20 years’ experience of advising higher education and university institutions on their legal duties as public and charitable bodies. He brings valuable legal and business skills to the board as well as a long track record of holding governance roles including school governor, chair of a council standards committee and audit committee member. He is keen to contribute to the Board’s work in creating a strong, inclusive and forward-looking charity and preserving our Brontë heritage.
Lauren Watson Lauren has always enjoyed a passion for literature and in particular the Brontës, and was recently involved in a co-production event, the play ‘Underdog: The Other Other Brontë’ with the National Theatre. She currently works at Northern Stage in Newcastle upon Tyne and has a great deal of experience in engaging audiences with arts and heritage of value, and it is this experience that she is looking forward to sharing with the Brontë Society.