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Ms Philippa Cross

Philippa Cross has worked in the creative sector for over 20 years, in visual arts, funding, and theatre. Her career has included working for the Tate Gallery in corporate development; West Midlands Arts, where she was Lottery Officer and then Director of Policy & Resources; Arts Council England, supporting local authorities and arts & regeneration; and the Coventry branch of national creative learning initiative Creative Partnerships, where she led on evaluation and programme management before becoming a ‘Creative Agent’ (best title ever!), working to broker relationships between schools and artists.

With significant experience of strategic planning: from devising regional policy and supporting development of local authority arts strategies, to business planning for her own company – Philippa has also - as a freelance consultant - supported various organisations in visioning, organisational/ team development and evaluation: clients have included Welsh National Opera, Warwick Arts Centre, Arts Council England, Sandwell MBC, Warwickshire County Council, and smaller companies such as Ludic Rooms, Big Brum and Mercurial Arts. Her other expertise lies in fundraising, project management, and coaching.

Philippa is currently part time General Manager for Talking Birds Theatre Company – a company that is proud to be embedded in its home city of Coventry, but also tours around the UK and internationally; that makes theatre – but not always for theatres; a company driven by access and participation, believing that anyone in the room can have the breakthrough idea. Alongside financial and company management, Philippa project manages development of the company’s innovative new access tool – the Difference Engine – which is set to revolutionise access for small scale touring theatre.

She continues to work as a freelance consultant and coach, focusing on personal and organisational development, and evaluation. She has a BA(Hons) in French Studies, an MA in European Cultural Policy and Administration and a Post Graduate Diploma in Coaching, all from the University of Warwick.

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