Richard Greer

Chair of New Deal of the Mind, Richard is a patron and collector of contemporary art.

Richard chairs a collectors’ group working with University of the Arts and with his wife Judith, is also a patron of Artangel and the Whitechapel Gallery. He contributes his extensive knowledge and network of the art world to NDotM along with a  background in finance which ensures all our activities are financially sound.

Dr Catherine Fieschi

Director of Counterpoint at the British Council since 2008, Catherine Fieschi grew up in Senegal, Italy, France and the USA.

Prior to joining Counterpoint, she was director of the influential Think Tank, Demos (2005-2008).

From 2001 to 2005, Catherine lectured in Politics at the University of Nottingham and directed the Centre for the Study of European Governance. She is the author of “In the Shadow of Democracy” (MUP) and is a contributing editor for Prospect Magazine, a Board member of the Quilliam Foundation and a Trustee of the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR). She’s also a regular contributor to radio and television debates.

Alex Graham

Alex Graham is CEO of Wall to Wall, a Shed Media company and one of the leading independent producers in the world. Wall to Wall’s credits include Who Do You Think You Are?, New Tricks, The 1900 House and the Oscar winning documentary feature Man on Wire. Alex sits on the board of Shed Media and also on the board of the Sheffield International Documentary Festival. He is a former chair of the independent producers’ trade association PACT and now sits on their Patrons’ Group. He is a fellow of the Royal Television Society, the Royal Society of Arts and a visiting fellow of the University of Bournemouth’s Media School. In 2009 he received an Honorary Doctorate from City University for services to journalism.

Pippa Harris

Pippa Harris is one of the founders of Neal Street Productions, along with Sam Mendes and Caro Newling.

Before joining Neal Street Productions, Pippa was Head of Drama Commissioning for the BBC during which time she oversaw award winning productions including Stephen Poliakoff’s “The Lost Prince”, Tom Hooper’s “Daniel Deronda,” Dominic Savage’s “Out of Control,” and David Yates’ “State of Play.”

Neal Street Productions has enjoyed a string of screen successes, including “Revolutionary Road,” “Starter For Ten,” “Jarhead” and “Things We Lost in the Fire” as well as success on stage which includes for “Shrek The Musical” and “Mary Stuart.”

Jude Kelly OBE

Jude Kelly is the Artistic Director of Britain’s largest cultural institution, Southbank Centre. She founded Solent People’s Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre, worked as Artistic Director of the York Festival, and with the Royal Shakespeare Company, before becoming the founding director of the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds – the country’s largest regional theatre .

Jude has represented Britain within UNESCO on cultural matters, served on the Arts Advisory Committee for Royal Society of Arts, and jointly chaired with Lord Puttnam the Curricula Advisory Committee on Arts and Creativity.  She is chair of Metal, chair of Common Purpose International Trust, board member of The British Council, member of the London Cultural Consortium and Visiting Professor at Kingston University and Leeds University.  As Chair of Culture, Ceremonies, and Education at London 2012, Jude was responsible for developing the culture, arts and education strands of London’s successful bid for the Olympics.

Mike Smith

Managing Director of Columbia Records, Mike Smith started as an A&R man and has signed Blur, PJ Harvey, Elastica, Supergrass, Teenage Fan Club, Doves, Starsailor, The Beta Band. The Avalanches, Gorillaz, The White Stripes, The Libertines, The Scissor Sisters, The Arcade Fire, and Arctic Monkeys.

Mike’s worked with artists such as Robbie Williams, The Verve and Beth Orton. He moved to Columbia Records UK in 2006 to work as Managing Director and has since been involved in signing Mark Ronson, Calvin Harris, The Ting Tings, MGMT, The Gossip and Glasvegas. He currently looks after Kings of Leon, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Foo Fighters and Kasabian.

Nicola Thorold

Nicola Thorold is an associate of the National Theatre and the Young Vic Theatre Company and works with other national arts organisations, agencies, government and performing arts companies.

She led the Arts Council’s response to the Future Jobs Fund in 2009 and supported Sir Brian McMaster with his report on excellence in the arts.

Between 2000 and 2006 she was Director of Theatre at Arts Council England, where she developed and managed the £100m Theatre Review. She also set up the Chancellor’s Cultural Leadership Programme.  Between 1993 and 2000 Nicola was Director of the Independent Theatre Council.

Sir John Tusa

Sir John Tusa is one of Britain’s leading figures in the arts. A well known writer and broadcaster, Sir John was presenter of Newsnight and his series on the momentous events of 1989 have recently been broadcast on Radio 4.  He is Chairman of the Court of Governors at University of the Arts London, was Managing Director of the Barbican from 1995-2007, which experienced exceptional growth and success under his leadership and Managing Director of the BBC World Service. Sir John chairs the Wigmore Hall Trust and the Clore Leadership Programme.