Mayor's Cultural Leadership Board

Amanda Parker's career spans screen, broadcast, arts and culture - including Director, London Short Film Festival and Editor of Arts Professional magazine. Parker founded Inc Arts UK, which from 2019 – 2022 led national advocacy representing the UK’s ethnically diverse arts sector workforce, producing sector-leading research and EDI solutions for creative and cultural organisations.

A former BBC programme maker and arts campaigns manager, Amanda served on the London Government Task Force Covid-19 Arts and Culture Strategy Group, and was a London advisor for the Government Arts Collection Committee. She is a Trustee of the RSC, and advisor to the UK Coalition for Cultural Diversity.

Tom has been involved in the cultural and creative industries for over a decade. He is Chair of Council at Goldsmiths, University of London, a globally-recognised creative university in the capital supporting the next generation of creatives and whose graduates include Sir Steve McQueen, Bernardine Evaristo and Kae Tempest. 

He was Chair of the Barbican Arts Centre, where he led 'Barbican Renewal' to secure almost £200m in funding for renovations of the iconic arts centre. He also led a culture-change programme, and overhaul of governance of the Centre.

Tom is Chair of the Southbank Employers Group, a membership body representing organisations (including many arts ones) on the South Bank of London, with the aim of promoting and enhancing the area as a brilliant destination to live, work, visit and study. 

Tom is also Chair of Norwich Theatre, the largest set of arts venues in the East of England.

Justine Simons is Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries and has played a central role in the cultural transformation of London for two decades. She founded and is Chair of the World Cities Culture Forum – a network of over 40 global cities reaching across six continents. She led the capital’s biggest ever festival for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and is now overseeing its legacy, East Bank, in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Justine has designed new policy innovations including the world’s first Creative Enterprise Zones, established a new Culture and Community Spaces at Risk Office, the London Borough of Culture and hardwired culture into London’s planning system with the first Cultural Infrastructure Plan.

Justine established the Fourth Plinth as the UK’s biggest public sculpture prize, was co-chair of London’s Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm and chaired the Mayor’s Suffrage Statue Commission placing the first statue of a woman in Parliament Square, suffrage campaigner Millicent Fawcett. She positioned culture at the heart of the Let’s Do London recovery campaign, attracting 800,000 visitors and bringing London back to life post pandemic.

Sade is a leader, disrupter, coach, mother, and CEO of The What If Experiment—a social justice consultancy building cultures of belonging across the creative and cultural sectors. With expertise in organisational transformation, anti-racist leadership, and systems change, her work challenges the status quo while centring care, collaboration, and accountability. In 2016, Sade founded the award-winning charity Sour Lemons to address inequity in creative leadership, drawing on her own lived experience of exclusion.  She currently sits on the main advisory board at the Freelands Foundation.

Sade has been awarded the Arts Council’s Transforming Leadership Fund and held fellowships with Clore Cultural Leadership, Red Bull Amaphiko, and UnLtd. Her work has been recognised widely, including being named a Champion of Change at the Champion of Women Awards, a Next Gen Trailblazer for Racial Justice by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and a NatWest WISE100 Leading Woman in Social Business.

Eliza is the founder of Erskine Analysis, a think tank focussed on soft power and the global creative industries. She is a leading authority on the subject having published more than forty policy and research papers on the sector, with recent work covering topics as varied as education, business models, trade policy and devolution. Her work has directly shaped UK government thinking including on immigration, funding, soft power and regional development.

Eliza spent five years as Head of Policy and then Deputy Director of the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre at Nesta. Prior to this, she was part of the founding team of the Creative Industries Federation, now CreativeUK.

Eliza chairs the BFI’s Research Advisory Group and is an RSA Fellow and a Research Associate at the Bennett Institute, University of Cambridge. She is a trustee for arts charity Gerry’s Pompeii which preserves the legacy of outsider artist Gerry Dalton.

Brenda Emmanus has had a long and varied career in broadcasting and journalism, working across print, radio and television. Her work has seen her switch comfortably between genres and broadcasters - from lifestyle, fashion, interior design and the arts for the BBC's local, national and worldwide platforms, to consumer and magazine shows featured on Sky, Channel 4 and ITV.

Brenda is best known for fronting the BBC flagship fashion series, 'The Clothes Show,' but more recently has established herself as a respected Arts, Culture and Entertainment Correspondent across the BBC.  Brenda has several Board positions including as a Non Executive Director at Faber, on the Editorial Board of the Royal Academy Magazine and Chair of Sir Matthew Bourne's New Adventures Company.

Brenda was awarded an OBE for Services to Broadcasting and Diversity, an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Arts London and is a Country Member of G100 - Media Arts and Communication Wing.

Lilli is an independent consultant and facilitator, working at the intersections of culture, climate and change. She is Director of Theatre Green Book, supporting the performing arts sector to transition to net zero, and works with a wide range of cultural and creative organisations on programmes and policies towards a transformative future.

Lilli was previously Deputy Director of the Creative Policy and Evidence Centre, and spent five years as Director at Jerwood Arts. She started her career in think tanks, before co-founding HighTide and becoming a theatre producer, including for the Almeida Theatre, and working for Arts Council England. Lilli is Co-Chair of Fuel Theatre, a Trustee of Projekt Europa and on the Leadership Group for What Next? for Culture.

Dr. Gilluley is a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and is Chief Medical Officer at NHS North East London Integrated Health System. From an early stage in his career Dr Gilluley developed an interest in how the arts are used therapeutically in mental health and has work with artists in the field to improve patient and staff care and well being.

Dr. Gilluley is a Champion of the National Centre for Creative Health and has an interest in how the arts can promote resilience and well being in our local residents.      

Anu Giri is Executive Director, English National Ballet, Deputy Chair of Battersea Arts Centre, and Board Member of Tara Theatre.  Previously she was Director of Business and Operations, venues and festivals at the BFI, headed up the business strategy for BFI London Film Festival which saw record audiences of over 400,000 in 2024.

Anu was Executive Director, Dance Umbrella, London's international dance festival from 2014-2019, Co-Director of English National Ballet School where she developed the ‘My First’ series of children’s ballets in partnership with English National Ballet and set up ENBS Juniors – high quality children’s ballet classes across 3 London boroughs.  Between 2003–2010 she was at Arts Council England and Head of Dance from 2003.

Adem is Head of Music at SXSW London, the first ever European edition of the world's largest gathering of music, tech and film professionals. Adem was previously Head of Contemporary Music at Southbank Centre, responsible for curating and overseeing the delivery of approximately 150+ contemporary music gigs and events a year in London, including the iconic annual Meltdown Festival.

Having been responsible for arts and cultural organisations, talent development programmes, live music festivals, tours and gigs, Adem specialises in enabling the ambitions of music artists & creatives, predominantly from diverse backgrounds. Adem was the Music Curator at the Horniman Museum in South London, where he spearheaded the award-winning 696 festival, exhibition and programmes. Adem is a fellow of Clore Leadership and was also a member of the first cohort of PRS Foundation’s Power Up scheme, an initiative supporting Black music creators and industry professionals to address anti-Black racism and racial disparities in the music sector.

Claudia joined Historic England as Director of Regions in 2018.  Before this Claudia spent two years as a Director in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, most recently as Director of Corporate Strategy where she was responsible for strategy and planning, governance, evidence and analysis and oversight of the Department’s 45 Arms Length Bodies.

Claudia joined the DCMS senior civil service in 2007 with roles leading heritage, arts, museums and digital policy, sponsoring bodies such as the Arts Council, Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and national museums, and delivering national commemorative and ceremonial events.  Previously she worked in a range of departments, with roles on social exclusion policy, neighbourhood renewal and in private office.  Alongside her role at Historic England, Claudia is Chair of the Board of Trustees at Battersea Arts Centre in London.

Helen is the founder and Director of Development at BBC Studios TalentWorks. Her track record of success includes creating and launching award-winning new content with creators. Most recently, she led BBC Creator Lab for BBC Public Service, and collaborations with TikTok, YouTube and Meta. Helen was the inaugural chair of the BBC Studios Next Generation Board, aimed at re-inventing the BBC for the next generation.

Helen also utilises her expertise in online content creation as an advisory board member and speaker at Vidcon. She is a passionate and experienced producer & performer over 15+ years in the cultural & creative industries in the UK & internationally. She serves as Trustee for Vault Creative Arts, on the production team at Machynlleth Comedy Festival since launch and brings together science/arts-education and live theatre in critically-acclaimed company Do Not Adjust Your Stage.

Councillor Anthony Okereke is the Leader of Royal Borough of Greenwich and London Councils' Executive Member for Communities. Under his leadership, Greenwich has become one of the most accomplished boroughs in London for delivering record numbers of council houses through it is ‘Greenwich Builds’ program.

When Councillor Okereke is not in a council meeting or being a family carer for his father, he can be found running along the Thames Path, supporting Charlton Athletic and enjoying some fish and chips in Beresford Square.

Martin Prendergast is a public affairs and corporate partnerships specialist, working in the creative industries. Martin founded his consultancy, Martin Prendergast Communications (MPC), in 2018 after 11 years at the National Theatre where he was Deputy Director of Development and then Director of Communications. Before the National Theatre Martin was at Guardian News and Media for 10 years where he was Arts Manager in the commercial department.

Martin is a Director of the European Sponsorship Association and a UK Council member of Creative UK. He is a proud trustee of Theatre Peckham and HOME in Manchester, a Speaker for Schools, a Governor of the GEM Federation of primary schools in Southwark, and an LGBTIQ+ activist. Martin is also a cabaret pianist and singer, performing his show ‘Martin & Friends’ at venues across London including the National Theatre, Crazy Coqs, the 1901 Arts Club and Wilton’s Music Hall.

Amaarah is an international facilitator, performer, producer and public speaker. At 22 years old, she has supported over 1000 young people to develop their skills and celebrate their talents - on stage and off. She started producing and hosting Standards, an evening of art, conversation and celebration, that brings artists and community together when she was 18 years old. Starting at The Albany, it has gone on to be programmed by Fuel and the Wellcome Collection.

Amaarah creates work that explores identity, honesty and empowerment and is an associate artist with theatre company Sounds Like Chaos.

Freya Salway works internationally on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies for arts and culture. She is the Head of the Lab at Google Arts & Culture. There she develops collaborative programs and experiments with artists, cultural institutions, engineers and research scientists, engaging AI and emerging technologies. Collaborations include Serpentine Galleries, MIT Media Lab, Victoria and Albert Museum, BTS, Centre Pompidou, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Es Devlin, Wayne McGregor, London Design Festival, United Nations and CERN.

Freya has also worked as an independent consultant, delivering creative programs in the business and media fields, and previously managed arts partnerships for Sky Arts

Emma joined Historic England in November 2023 to job-share with Claudia Kenyatta as Director of Regions. Before this Emma spent nearly six years as Director of Arts, Heritage and Tourism at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport where she was responsible for policy on the art market, culture, heritage, tourism, libraries, museums, treasure and cultural diplomacy. Her role included sponsoring 28 Arms Length Bodies and agencies such as Arts Council England, national museums like the National Gallery and the V&A, Visit Britain, Historic Royal Palaces and The Royal Parks.

Emma led for Government on the £1.59bn Covid pandemic Culture Recovery Fund and on programmes from the UK City of Culture competition to the Cultural Development Fund. Emma has been a senior civil servant since 2009, with roles on local growth, trade and as Principal Private Secretary to the Business Secretary. Alongside her role at Historic England, Emma is Chair of the Board of Trustees at Bridport Museum.

Dr Jo Twist OBE (she/her) is CEO of the BPI, representing more than 500 label businesses and the UK recorded music sector. She has a 25-year background in creative industries, interactive entertainment and technology and sits on several boards and advisory groups including the UKRI AI Strategic Advisory Team and Creative PEC Board. She was Chair of the BAFTA Games Committee (2013-2022) and a BAFTA Trustee (2018-2022) and a Mayor of London’s Cultural Leadership Board Ambassador until 2024.

Jo is a Visiting Lecturer at Goldsmith's University, VP for accessibility charity SpecialEffect, Patron of mental health charity Safe in Our World, Wiggin Foundation Trustee, BRIT Trust Trustee and King's Appointed Trustee for Historic Royal Palaces.

In 2016 Jo was awarded an OBE for services to the creative industries, was named one of the Evening Standard’s Progress 1000 Most Influential People in 2019 and entered the Computer Weekly Hall of Fame in 2021.

Nigel is a former software engineer turned creative entrepreneur and co-founder of mayamada — a storytelling brand spanning comics, video games, and youth engagement — supporting creativity and inclusion in young people and the industries that impact them. He also serves on the Children's Media Conference Advisory Committee, Young BAFTA Advisory Group, and Develop:Brighton Advisory Committee, championing diversity in creative industries.

Through creative workshops and the "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" campaign, Nigel’s team works to empower young people to tell their own stories and challenge stereotypes, as they provide hands-on opportunities for aspiring creative professionals to gain real experience in creative industries.

Until 2024 Deborah was Chief Executive of Creative Diversity Network, the membership body funded by the UK’s major broadcasters and production community. Its aims are to support the UK television industry to promote, celebrate and share good practice around the diversity agenda. With over 30 years’ experience working above and below the line in television, film and theatre, as well as policy development across the wider creative and cultural industries.

Deborah is the architect and designer of the BFI Diversity standards that were adopted by The Oscars and BAFTA in 2020. In 2019 she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award from Inclusive Companies for her body of work in diversity and culture. She is a Disabled Powerlister 2018, 2019 and 2022.

Following an open recruitment process, the 2024-2028 Ambassadors were confirmed in post in January 2025. The Board met for their first meeting on 24 April 2025. 

Read meeting minutes from 7 March 2024

Read meeting minutes from 13 December 2023

Read meeting minutes from 26 September 2023

Read meeting minutes from 5 July 2023

Read meeting minutes from 29 March 2023

Read meeting minutes from 18 January 2023

Read meeting minutes from 21 September 2022

Read meeting minutes from 28 June 2022

Read meeting minutes from 29 March 2022

The tenure of the Board for 2016-2021 Mayoral administration ended on 5 May 2021.  

No meetings took place between March 2021 and May 2021 because of the London Mayoral Elections pre-election period (PEP).  

Between June 2021 and November 2021, the Mayor reappointed some members and proposed a new Chair from his previous administration. The London Assembly approved the new Chair at a confirmation hearing on 23 November 2021.

Download meeting minutes from 2 February 2021

Download meeting minutes from 25 November 2020

Download meeting minutes from 30 September 2020

Download meeting minutes from 16 July 2020

Download meeting minutes from 25 February 2020

Download meeting minutes from Wednesday 25 September 2019, 14:00 - 16:30pm

Download meeting minutes from Tuesday 14 May 2019, 10:00am - 13:00pm

Download meeting minutes from Tuesday 5 February 2019, 10:00am - 12.30pm

Download meeting minutes from Thursday 29 November 2018, 10:30am - 1.00pm

Download meeting minutes from Tuesday 27 February 2018, 11.30am - 1.30pm

Download meeting minutes from Wednesday 26 September 2018, 2.30pm - 5.00pm

Download meeting minutes from Wednesday 21 November 2017, 10.30am - 12.30pm

Download meeting minutes from Wednesday 13 September 2017, 2.30pm - 4.30pm

Download inaugural meeting minutes from Tuesday 6 June 2017, 10.30am -1.00pm