Announcing the Neotists advisory board

We are delighted to announce the formation of our new advisory board. The Advisory Board plays a vital role in providing strategic guidance, expert advice, and support to the Neotists mission and objectives.

The board

Simon Harper — a theatre professional with over 40 years’ experience in the industry. He has a background in technical theatre and as a production manager and technical director he has produced shows in the UK, USA and Europe for various companies including the Almeida Theatre and English National Opera. Since 1995 as a client representative and project director Simon has been involved in some of the UK’s most successful theatre construction projects including the redevelopment of the Royal Court Theatre in London’s Sloane Square, the Coliseum in London’s St Martins Lane and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s transformation of its three Stratford Theatres.

Faye Hatton — a freelance PR and communications director who founded Straw Hat Communications, a company that specialises in PR for the automotive and motorsport industry. Her client list is for brands including Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin and FIA World Touring Car Championship, she has a passion and understanding for media relations, storytelling, PR strategy and clear messaging.

Diane Lane — has over 25 years’ experience in the public and private sectors enabling communities and partnerships make great things happen. In her spare time, she loves comedy, travel and any quirky offbeat musical.

Sunny Mann — is a seasoned hospitality and operations professional with extensive experience in customer service and management roles. Currently, he serves as the manager at Chaii Hubs in St Neots, overseeing a vibrant cafe offering Indian street food and specialty drinks. Prior to this, he held managerial positions at Hotel Chocolat and The White Brasserie Co., among others, and ran his own fine dining restaurant, India House, for nearly a decade. Sunny has also worked in recruitment and freelanced in business consultancy, showcasing his versatility across various sectors. His volunteer work includes humanitarian efforts in Asia.

Jen Nesbitt — with over 15 years of experience as a graphic designer, illustrator and a deep passion for creative coding, Jen continuously explores the intersection of art, design, and technology. Recently, Jen has delved into the world of creative coding, drawn to its potential to blend artistry with technology in innovative ways. By exploring programming languages and interactive media, she’s discovering new avenues for self-expression and pushing the boundaries of traditional art and design.

James Tortise-Crawford — has experience of strategic planning and project management across arts and culture, higher education and community engagement. He managed projects at the Royal Opera House including the official London 2012 Olympics exhibition and BP Summer Big Screens relays and led on operational planning for Hull UK City of Culture 2017. He coordinated King’s College London’s local engagement with charities and community organisations, and currently heads up strategic projects at the Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge.

The board have been formed to provide strategic advice and direction to the leadership team of Neotists CIC, offer expertise, insights, and perspectives on key issues and opportunities, act as ambassadors for the organisation, promoting its mission and values within their networks. Alongside this they support fundraising, partnerships, and community engagement efforts and ensure that the organisation adheres to its commitments to community interest and social impact.

We welcome the board and look forward to sharing more about the development of their roles and the impact they will have across St Neots.