James Tortise-Crawford

James 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.

Sunny Mann

Sunny 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.

Diane Lane

Diane 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.

Simon Harper

Simon is 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.

Since setting up Harper Tackley in 2012 Simon has worked as a project director or advisor on projects for;

– Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
– The Royal Shakespeare Company
– Cast Theatre in Doncaster
– West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Hong Kong
– English Touring Theatre
– English National Ballet
– The Actors Centre
– Creative Scotland
– Mercury Theatre, Colchester
– The Almeida Theatre, Islington
– The Guardian
– The Arts Theatre, Covent Garden (PW Productions)
– Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Woolwich Works project
– Delfont Mackintosh Theatres
– Pitlochry Festival Theatre
– Troxy
– Cambridge Arts Theatre
– IMPACT/Dunard Concert Hall, Edinburgh

Simon is an experienced team leader with a history of managing complex arts projects. He is used to working in both the public and the private sector and has many years of experience on Arts Council and privately funded projects. He is experienced in the procurement of publicly funded projects and the management structures they require.

His background in producing theatre helps him bridge the gap between the design team and client.

Jen Nesbitt

Jen Nesbitt is a project manager for Neotists, working at the intersection of art, technology, and community to develop creative opportunities in St Neots and beyond.

With over 15 years of experience as a graphic designer and illustrator, her practice has evolved to include creative coding and interactive media, exploring new ways to blend digital and physical art forms.

Through Neotists, Jen leads and supports a range of community-focused initiatives, from exhibitions and public art projects to regular events such as Drink and Draw. She also works with local schools, delivering creative workshops and art clubs for children, including sessions at Crosshall Infants, helping to nurture creativity from an early age.

Her work is rooted in creating inclusive, accessible spaces where people can connect, experiment, and share ideas. She is particularly interested in how technology can be used playfully and meaningfully to bring people together, spark creativity, and reimagine how art is experienced in everyday spaces.