Martin Bright

Founder and Chief Executive

Martin is the award-winning former Political Editor of the New Statesman. His idea for a New Deal of the Mind organisation has captured the imagination of the cultural world since its inception earlier this year and attracted the support of politicians from across the political spectrum.

Martin is Founder and Chief Executive of NDotM. Since March he has been working closely with ministers, officials and arts organisations to deliver jobs in the creative industries.

Karen Freyer

Managing Director

Karen has experience in marketing and media, having worked both on the creative and business sides of media. Originally she was a producer and reporter. Karen worked at CBS News – 60 Minutes, Newsnight and CNN & Time. Karen then made the switch over to the corporate world. She went to Harvard Business School, got her MBA and worked at WPP where she was chosen to join their management programme.

Karen is Managing Director for NDotM. She ensures that the organisation delivers on its mission by developing NDotM’s strategic direction and managing its delivery, together with the trustees, staff and all other stakeholders.

Jo Phillips

Media, Communications and Events

Jo is an award-winning journalist and former political adviser. Her career has spanned politics, public affairs and media across private, public and not for profit sectors. She has worked for all the UK’s major broadcasters, played a key role in local, European and general election campaigns.

Jo was a key member of Bob Geldof’s Live8 team, and was Press Secretary to Paddy Ashdown. Jo worked on the Home Office’s Y Vote campaign, been a non-executive director of a local health authority, been a prison visitor, driven in rallies across Syria, chaired a crime prevention panel and  is a West Ham United season ticket holder. Jo looks after NDotM’s media, communications and events.

Marcus Mason

Programme Manager

Marcus completed an MA in International Studies and Diplomacy at SOAS in the summer of 2009 and holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University. He is interested in progressive politics, green politics and social enterprise and its role in tackling social issues. During his masters, Marcus became drawn to the role that social enterprises can play in the economic progress of developed and developing countries. While completing his dissertation on Kosovan Statehood, Marcus worked for the Learning Launchpad at the Young Foundation – a fund that invests in social enterprises that focus on positive outcomes in the field of practical learning for young people in Britain.

Marcus is the Programme Manager for NDotM. He works with cultural institutions to create employment opportunities and is developing NDotM Creative Incubation Centres, locating disused space and identifying partners.