I’m thrilled to be joining Ideas Test, an organisation dedicated to creating meaningful creative opportunities for the communities of Medway and Swale. With over 20 years of experience in the arts, my career has been driven by a passion for socially engaged practice because I believe in the transformative power of the arts to inspire connection, amplify underrepresented voices, and create spaces where everyone feels they belong.
In my career, I have worked as a dancer, facilitator, choreographer, creative director, producer, mentor and external examiner to name a few, and I can’t wait to bring all this experience into this new role to help foster creativity and community engagement in Medway and Swale.
As the Founder and Creative Director of VOXED, I led six UK tours, collaborating with over 45 partners across education, culture, and community sectors. I’ve built partnerships with organisations like The Place, One Dance UK, BBC Arts, and Arts Council England, all while delivering programs that champion inclusivity and amplify underrepresented voices. One of my proudest achievements at VOXED was #GOOGLEDANCE, a Gogglebox-inspired digital mini-series that celebrated local creativity in living rooms and care homes across the UK. Featuring dance styles from Bollywood to Hip Hop, the project partnered with organisations and communities in Bournemouth, Brighton, and Scarborough. My passion, and what drove VOXED, lies in creating spaces where people can move, talk, and share their stories—whether through intergenerational projects, youth engagement, or digital creations.
My work has always prioritized accessibility and connection, ensuring that the creative process is inclusive and empowering. For example, I’ve developed training opportunities for young filmmakers in collaboration with Eastside Educational Trust, helping them gain professional credits, and I’ve planned and delivered creative workshops and performances with older adults. Additionally, I was a facilitator for eight years on the national Centre for Advanced Training program, nurturing the next generation of dance talent. I have also worked on the National Citizen Service helping young people understand the value of a social enterprise, connecting them with local community partners to deliver engagement activity they designed.
I’ve worked as a Movement Director with cultural institutions, including Shakespeare’s Globe, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the Stephen Joseph Theatre. These projects have ranged from staging classic Shakespeare productions like Love’s Labour’s Lost to new writing like Tanika Gupta’s The Empress, which explores themes of British colonial history and identity.
Coming from a working-class background, I deeply value the role culture plays in creating opportunities for personal growth, connecting people and amplifying our collective history and voices. I’ve built my life and career on the opportunities I had to engage with dance as a young man, and I’m passionate about helping others access similar transformative experiences.
Joining Ideas Test is an exciting next step. I’m energized by the chance to collaborate with the communities of Medway and Swale, working together to design programs that celebrate local stories, nurture creative talent, and foster connections that resonate far beyond the region.
Here’s to building something extraordinary together!