MEET OUR TEAM
We are a small core team supported by our Board of Trustees and talented freelance facilitators.
STRATEGIC DIRECTOR
debs howe
Chair of the board of Trustees for two years and has been on the board for eight years. Debs is now stepping into the role of Strategic Director at the Collective. Children and Young People's Champion in 2006. And has led many award winning participation programmes during her career.
artistic director
Tristan Jackson-Pate
Trained initially as an actor and now finds the most joy in making theatre for and with young people, including many site specific works in venues as diverse as a decommissioned nuclear bunker, a supermarket car park and an open air swimming pool!
COMPANY manager
Designated
safeguarding lead
Michael Deacon
Michael's involvement with the company began as a participant as a young person between 2010 and 2017 and has since assistant directed productions for The Collective and returning as a regular facilitator. Now working within the organisation as Company Manager helping to manage and creatre opportunities for young people.
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Simon
Lewis-Beeching
​Simon previously had an extensive and varied career in banking/finance and IT consultancy, and has now escaped the corporate world. Simon grew up on an East London council estate, where he was lucky enough to enjoy playing fields, parks and youth clubs - luxuries that many young people now no longer have access to. Simon says: "The team at The Collective work extremely hard and play a vital role in making a difference to young people's lives. I just look after the numbers."
FREELANCE ARTIST
sophie beckinsale
Sophie Beckinsale is a Community Theatre & Arts practitioner passionate about using the arts for inclusion, empowerment, and social change. She has delivered creative projects with children, young people and adults from diverse backgrounds. Her work includes accessible drama workshops, visual art workshops and storytelling projects with schools, youth provision, SEND communities, and asylum seekers. Sophie also works on creative programmes exploring healthy relationships, consent, and online safety in partnership with schools and safeguarding teams. Previously, Sophie was Outreach Co-ordinator for the People’s Theatre Collective, where she created The Park Ranger, a popular environmental arts project.
Patron
Sir trevor nunn
Is an English theatre director. He has been the artistic director for the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Royal National Theatre and the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
the core
Young People are at the very centre of everything we do. They inspire us to question the world through theatre and the arts, meet challenges with curiosity and explore what is possible when we co-create work that tells their stories.
Young Leaders from across the organisation come together as THE CORE engaging in all levels of planning, development and delivery of The Collective. They are involved in planning activities, choosing our direction of travel and advising on present and future projects. Leading on marketing ideas for major programmes of work; contributing their genius to our social media campaigns. They are developing a key component in the development of our work practice framework with their own Standing Orders on how they are respected and what they expect from us.
Future developments include a Cultural Enterprise space designed with young people providing creative opportunities for them to develop their own work in a supportive, yet challenging environment.
Chair of trustees
david aDkin
A West End Producer who realised his ambitions in the theatre company 17 years ago.
board of trustees
anna frazer
An experienced professional ‘cellist and a scenic designer and artist for events, plays and panto.
clinton osbourne
An experienced artist, teacher and Arts Officer who spent considerable time running the prestigious community visual arts resource, Animation Station. Before working as freelance artist, sixth form teacher, college lecturer and arts co-ordinator.
lynn mumford
Over 20 years experience leading national charitable organisations, championing the strengths and abilities of young people and those experiencing social injustice. Currently Strategic Development Director of local FE College, Activate Learning.
ingrid manning
Occupational Psychologist and inclusive Leadership trainer.