CAROLINE THOMPSON, HEAD OF PARTNERSHIPS, ALACRITY FOUNDATION

As Head of Partnerships for the Alacrity Foundation (UK) Caroline is responsible for developing strategic relationships with key stakeholders and forging new cross-sector partnerships that enhance the Alacrity profile and programme offering.

Prior to taking up her position with the Alacrity Foundation, Caroline was CEO of Be The Spark, a movement in Wales designed to bring together innovation and entrepreneurship in a more visible, simple, connected way. The movement was born from Wales participating in the globally renowned REAP in MIT, Boston, MA.

Caroline’s passion for supporting entrepreneurship stemmed from leading the Entrepreneurial Spark accelerator hubs for NatWest in Bristol and Cardiff which was a move away from her traditional banking career that spanned 30 years.

DAVE MORGAN, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, SPINDOGS

Dave is the Technical Director at Spindogs. With a degree in Computer Science from Cardiff University and over 20 years’ experience in web development, he is an exceptional problem solver, a highly respected system architect and an accredited PRINCE2 practitioner. Dave has specialist expertise in the Automotive Sector working with a variety of global brands delivering easy to use solutions to complex business problems.

When he isn’t managing innovative projects, Dave can be found on the golf course, at the theatre or watching the latest films.

As a board member of our board, Dave has been instrumental in helping Rubicon Dance articulate a new marketing strategy and supporting senior staff in its implementation.

GEMMA BARNETT, OPERATIONS MANAGER, BLAKE MORGAN

Gemma is Operations Manager at Blake Morgan and runs Cardiff Breakfast Club. Having trained as a dancer (she used to come to our dance classes), Gemma applies her experience from her corporate career to help the arts sector through her governance work.

Since joining our board, Gemma has introduced Rubicon to many of the opinion formers and businesses that attend which has been especially useful for our capital fundraising campaign. Gemma is leading on the business change aspects of Rubicon's strategy and her experience of mergers and acquisitions is has been invaluable.

JONAS FATHY, PROJECT MANAGER, PILOTLIGHT

Jonas's passion is working with individuals and small groups, giving them the tools and structures, they need to overcome the barriers they face. Since June 2018, he lives this purpose as Project Manager for Pilotlight where he supports senior leaders of not-for-profit organisations to increase the effectiveness of their organisations. Originally from Germany, he grew up in the performing arts sector, studying arts and not-for-profit management and working at one of Germany's largest theatres for a while. He also worked as a freelance performance artist, combining circus arts, fire and dance. 

Jonas specialises in people development, strategy and governance. To date, he's worked with over 30 social impact organisations and over 125 senior leaders of various sectors to help charities help more people more effectively. He is also currently studying the psychology of work through an MSc, teaching traditional Japanese martial arts, and chairing a small pan-European, volunteer-run circus arts association.

MATT WILLIAMS, POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, WELSH SPORTS ASSOCIATION

Matt is an experienced policy and government affairs professional with extensive experience in lobbying all levels of Government in Wales. He is Policy and Communications Manager at the Welsh Sports Association and leads on engagement with the Senedd, Welsh Government and other statutory organisations. 

He has a track record of delivering policy and legislative change in a variety of sectors, from the environment and planning to economic development.

Matthew is a Welsh speaker and outside of work, he is a keen cyclist and past chair of Wales’ largest cycling club, Cardiff Ajax CC – managing a team of volunteers delivering a programme of sport across the city and South Wales.

PAUL WHITTAKER, ARTIST, WRITER, FILMMAKER

Paul is an artist, writer and filmmaker working across different sectors in Wales. Alongside his own practice, Paul has worked on several commissions from clients including Rubicon Dance, Arts Council Wales, Sherman Cymru, Channel 4, Public Health Wales and the Old Vic.

He recently wrote and directed his autobiographical play, Gods & Kings, to critical acclaim and had his first solo art exhibition at the Hearth Gallery, miscellaneous RULES.

As part of our board, Paul helps Rubicon find creative ways to present our work across all media and has been key in the incorporation of a digital alternative to our artistic programme.

SHELI MILLER, INTERNATIONAL PRICING MANAGER, ADMIRAL PLC 

Sheli is International Pricing Manager for Admiral PLC. Also, a keen dancer, Sheli joined our board so that she could apply her business improvement knowledge into a new environment and use her skills to make a positive contribution to our organisation.

On behalf of our board, Sheli has recently led our Institute of Fundraising project to help us define our Fundraising Strategy. She met with our fundraising consultants and translated their strategic advice into a robust fundraising plan.

SIMON DANCEY, ASSISTANT DEPUTY VICE CHANCELLOR AT THE UNIVERSITY FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS

Simon is the Assistant Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University for the Creative Arts. He has a PhD in International Policy and is the former CEO of Creative & Cultural Skills, the UK Skills Council for the cultural sector and was previously Global Director for Cultural Skills and Research at the British Council. Simon has worked in the cultural sector for over twenty-five years, initially as a professional musician, promoter and community activist and subsequently at the highest levels of leadership and governance, as a CEO and research academic.

Originally from Barry, Simon has three daughters and is a trustee of Careers Wales and a former trustee of the Arts Council of Wales and a former Director of Community Music Wales. His work focuses on developing research, policy and programmes designed to improve the lives of young people in some of the most marginalised contexts. 

He brings an extensive background in strategic leadership, management and assuring the impact and financial performance of charities and companies, alongside a passionate commitment to social justice and to Wales.