Claire Spencer joined the Barbican in May 2022 as the first ever CEO. Claire was previously at the Arts Centre Melbourne where she successfully led a thriving cultural centre, re-positioned the organisation to be a key player in the district’s creative economy, and steered it through the Covid-19 pandemic. In the 2020 Australia Day honours list she was conferred a Member of the Order of Australia for her work in the performing arts. Claire has been a champion of women in leadership and a supporter of organisations and projects that provide scholarships and mentoring support to those from marginalised or disadvantaged backgrounds.
Jackie Boughton joined the Barbican in May 2014 as our Head of Business Events and leads on growing our commercial offer as a dynamic venue for domestic and international business events and conferences, including our restaurants, bars and retail spaces. She has previous marketing and communications experience and has held leadership roles at Wembley Stadium, Hilton Hotels and was Managing Director at Pembury Leisure and Hospitality Marketing. She has won multiple awards including being named in Incentive Travel Agency’s 50 most influential people in the UK Meetings & Events Industry. She was the first female Board Director of Vienna Hotels and holds board positions at ICCA (International Congress & Convention Association); the AEV (Association of Events Venues) and Drumworks, a social skills and confidence building charity.
Cornell became Acting Director for Buildings and Renewal in October 2023 and leads on shaping the work in our exciting Barbican Renewal Programme while ensuring that our building is a safe and functional space for our artists, staff and visitors. He has worked within the City of London since 2013 and at the Barbican since April 2017 in our engineering and projects teams. Cornell has extensive experience in managing some of London’s most iconic buildings and venues including Tower Bridge, The Monument, Keat’s House, Roman Baths House and the International Broadcast Centre at the London 2012 Olympic Games. He is a qualified coach and has previously worked in roles supporting young people through sports.
Natasha joined the Barbican in January 2020 in the newly created role of Director of Development, and leads on fundraising across the Centre, including the Barbican Centre Trust. Specialising in leadership, building teams, growing income and influencing internal and external stakeholder relationships, Natasha has 25 years’ experience in arts fundraising, including key roles as Director of Development at The Old Vic theatre, growing revenue, capital, and endowment fundraising, and Head of Development at the Serpentine Gallery.
Ali joined the Barbican in October 2022 in the newly created role of Director of People, Culture and Inclusion. He comes with a wide and varied background across public, local and central government; and has worked in telecommunications, banking and engineering; consulting and not-for-profit organisations where he led several organisational transformations. Ali has 25 years’ experience in people, strategy, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and HR leadership. He is also a lecturer on transformation, management and leadership as well as a mentor and advisor to several community groups.
Sarah Wall joined the Barbican in 2004 as an Assistant Management Accountant and has held numerous positions at the Barbican before becoming our Head of Finance and Business Administration in July 2021. She trained to become a qualified accountant in the City of London Corporation and previously worked at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. She has spent a large part of her career working within the City in areas such commercial, project management and finance. Sarah is a Trustee of not-for-profit theatre companies, Boy Blue and Paper Birds.
Tom has been Chair of the Barbican Board since 2020 and a Trustee of the Barbican Centre Trust since May 2020. He is an elected Councillor at the City of London Corporation, which is the founder and principal founder of the Barbican and vice chair of their Policy and Resources Committee – the main strategic decision-making group for the Corporation. Tom is also Director of Corporate Affairs at the technology company and bank, The Bank of London Group, a new global institution and the world’s first purpose-built global clearing agency and transaction bank. He has held senior roles at Lloyds Banking Group, Amazon, and the BBC. (Twitter: @tomsleigh)
Tobi Ruth joined the Barbican Board in March 2021, and became Deputy Chair in May 2022. She is also a UKI Communications Manager at Netflix and was previously an International Communications Manager at Snap Inc. She was recognised for her ability to progress and adapt in PRWeek’s 2019 annual 30 under 30 list.
Sir William Russell Alderman has been Deputy Chair of the Barbican Centre Board and a Trustee of the Barbican Centre Trust since May 2022. He served as Lord Mayor of the City of London from 2019 to 2021 and set up and Chaired the Culture & Commerce taskforce during his term. Elected Alderman for the Ward of Bread Street in March 2013. Sir William has over thirty years’ experience in the financial and business City including holding senior positions in the national and international banking sector. He also has several charitable interests: he has served as Chair of the Development Board of the Royal Court Theatre; as a Board Member of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is also on the Council of the Royal Theatrical Support Trust. He is immediate past Chair of Prostate Cancer UK and past Deputy Chair of Place2Be, a children’s mental health charity.
Munsur grew up in the City of London and has been a member of the Barbican Board since July 2020. He is a film maker who graduated with honours in Film and TV Production. His film company produced the highly acclaimed film “Shongram” (Struggle), a romantic drama set during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. He is a founder of both the Limelight Film Awards, which identifies emerging film talent, and the London Bengali Film Festival. He was invited to meet HRH Prince of Wales as a successful social entrepreneur and in the same year received a Civic Award from Tower Hamlets Council for his contribution to the arts. He regularly appears on TV and the radio, discussing issues on culture, representation and entrepreneurship.
Randall has been a member of the Barbican Board since September 2021. He is a lawyer and received a Bachelor of Economics from the American University in Washington, D.C. and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Centre. He was also awarded a diploma in international commercial arbitration by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He started his legal career as an associate at the New York firm of Cravath Swaine & Moore. This was followed by partnership in firms in New York before moving with his family to London to join the firm of Keogh Caisley. He eventually left that firm to form his own practice. He has lived in the City of London for the last eleven years and is actively involved in the Barbican Association and has chaired the Residents’ Consultation Committee for the past four years.
Mikey has been a member of the Barbican Board since May 2022. He is a London-born producer, composer and DJ, whose 20-year career history is firmly etched in the UK black music industry. In 2001, he co-founded the world-renowned, Olivier Award-winning hip-hop dance company Boy Blue, who are Associate Artists at the Barbican. He is also an Honorary Fellow and Professor of electronic music at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and a Governor at The Place Theatre. As a producer, he has worked with several major label artists and composes for television, film and theatre. Mikey received an MBE for his services to Hip Hop Dance and Music in the 2022 New Year’s Honours.
Stephen joined the Barbican Board in September 2018. He is the co-founder and partner for Path Group, a US based consulting business focused on designing and delivering programmes that explore future working. Stephen is a social entrepreneur, innovator, impact investor and design expert. Hailing from the heart of East London, Stephen now splits his time between the UK and the US. Awarded an OBE in the 2021 New Year’s Queen’s Honours for innovation in charity and social enterprise, the legacy of Stephen’s work spans across some of the biggest and brightest names in social innovation.
Farmida has been Chair of the Barbican Centre Trust since May 2021 and a member of the Barbican Board since May 2021. She is also the current Chair of the law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, Europe, Middle East and Asia since May 2018 and Global Chair since January 2022. She has more than 25 years of experience advising on capital markets and Islamic finance and is also European Head of Islamic Finance. Farmida champions diversity and social mobility, currently serving as Chair of the Patchwork Foundation, which promotes the integration of disadvantaged and minority communities into public life. She was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020 for services to the law and charity.
Tijs has been a Barbican Board member since September 2020 and served as interim deputy chair of the Board until May 2022. He is also a governor at the Museum of London. Tijs leads government affairs and public policy in the UK and Northwest Europe for HP Inc. Having volunteered as a Special Constable in central London, and as a former trustee of Working Chance – a charity helping women ex-offenders into jobs, Tijs now serves as vice-chair of the City Corporation’s Policy and Resources Committee and Deputy Chair of the City of London’s Police Authority Board. Tijs is a former Chair of the City of London’s Academies Trust, where he supported 10 schools with over 7,800 students across London. He is currently Chair of the Board of Governors at the London Metropolitan University.
Zulum joined the Barbican Board in July 2020. He is Managing Director of TC & Friends, an international design agency based in London, UK specialising in branding and visual communications. Zulum was previously Special Advisor at Freuds Communications working with clients such as Comic Relief, Dior, Premier League and Vogue on their communications strategies and public presentation. A passionate advocate for the Arts and high quality education for all, Zulum is also on the Board of the Fair Education Alliance, England’s largest coalition of organisations united to end educational inequality. Zulum was President and Chairman of the London School of Economics Students’ Union from 2018 to 2020, making him the first Black man to hold the position in the LSE’s 125-year history.
Mark has been a member of the Barbican Board since March 2021. He is a UK-born businessman who currently works in Berlin as co-founder and CFO of green energy start-up HH2E. He grew up in Newcastle and studied at Cambridge and Stanford Universities, before spending over 20 years as a management consultant, most recently as Managing Partner of A.T. Kearney’s UK & Ireland business. He worked extensively for multinational clients often at the intersection of public policy, investment finance and commercial strategy. He has been a leader in EDI, establishing initiatives in his numerous business roles.
Alpa joined the Barbican Board in October 2022. She is a business restructuring professional with over 30 years of corporate experience and a current member of the Castle Baynard Ward. She is passionate about cultural heritage, women's empowerment, helping carers, promoting the arts, raising mental health awareness and EDI. She has studied and worked in London most of her life.
Jens has been a member of the Barbican Board since March 2021. He has built his career in design and technology, championing participatory design for over 20 years, including for iconic products such as Google Maps. He is currently a Senior Director at Google and a member of its global Design Leadership Council. He has worked with Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and held a guest professorship at the University of the Arts Berlin. He also served as Deputy Chair of the Elsevier editorial board for IJHCS. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from University College London. A Londoner of 25 years, Jens was drawn towards the Barbican admiring its brutalist design as well as its international, inclusive, and daring programming.
Jane’s involvement in the Barbican Board started in March 2021. She is Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Greenwich and previously Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education at the University of West England. She has held a number of senior roles in the global screen industries including CEO and Director of the London Film School; Head of International Content at SBS Australia and Network Programmer SBS Channels. She started her career in academia holding teaching and research roles at Waikato University, Griffith University, and the Australian Film Television and Radio School.
Despina joined the Barbican Board in July 2022. She is a theatre producer and creative leader with 20 years’ experience across the subsidised and commercial sectors. She is currently establishing a new artist-led experiences division for independent UK music entity ATC Group PLC. She was the former Executive Director and Lead Producer of the Young Vic Theatre, where she oversaw the critically acclaimed Death of a Salesman Fairview, Daniel Fish’s Oklahoma! and Best of Enemies. She has held roles as an Executive Producer at Punchdrunk International and Frantic Assembly and has worked in several roles at Mark Rubinstein, the Almeida Theatre and the Ambassador Theatre Group. Despina is a Clore Leadership Programme Fellow and a Trustee of Shakespeare’s Globe and medical-educational charity The Laura Case Trust.
Irem joined the Barbican Board in April 2022. She is a Partner at ERM: Environmental Resources Management, the largest global sustainability consultancy, advising global companies on how to manage their climate-related risks and opportunities to transition to low carbon economy. Irem is involved in City of London Corporation’s Climate Action Strategy, implementation of it at Ward level and raising awareness within the Livery companies. Irem was awarded ‘Freedom of the City of London’ in 2018 as part of 100 Women initiative, a recognition of promoting excellence within the City. She is an advocate for EDI and a mentor, passionate about inspiring people through arts and culture.
Farmida has been Chair of the Barbican Centre Trust since May 2021 and a member of the Barbican Board since May 2021. She is also the current Chair of the law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, Europe, Middle East and Asia since May 2018 and Global Chair since January 2022. She has more than 25 years of experience advising on capital markets and Islamic finance and is also European Head of Islamic Finance. Farmida champions diversity and social mobility, currently serving as Chair of the Patchwork Foundation, which promotes the integration of disadvantaged and minority communities into public life. She was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020 for services to the law and charity.
Robert has been a Trustee of the Barbican Centre Trust since January 2021 and is Vice President, Head of International Public Affairs at American Express. He also serves as Vice President at Save the Children, Trustee of Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Founding Chair of the Adult Literacy Trust, and Trustee of Open For Business. He is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics and has held various positions in corporate communications and public health. His previous non-executive roles include as Trustee of the Victoria & Albert Museum and Chair of the Terrence Higgins Trust. He was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday New Year Honours 2018 for services to charity.
Tom has been a Trustee of the Barbican Centre Trust since May 2021. He is chairman and founder of award-winning regeneration company Urban Splash, which is responsible for 60 development projects across the UK and has received 475 awards to date for architecture, design and business success. In 1999 Tom was awarded an MBE for Services to Architecture and Urban Regeneration. Tom also upholds several other positions including Chairman of Factory International/MIF, Manchester United Foundation and The Bloxham Charitable Trust. Previously he has acted as a trustee for the Tate Galleries, ACE, and the Liverpool Capital of Culture 2008.
Stephanie has been a Trustee of the Barbican Centre Trust since August 2022. She is a founding partner of Southern & Partners, an artist management consultancy providing strategic advice to artists and artists estates. For over 20 years she has worked closely with artists, organising and curating solo and group exhibitions in commercial galleries, international institutions, and heritage sites. Stephanie was a trustee of Artangel for eight years. Before moving into the arts, she worked in senior management positions in the television industry for the news and current affairs networks CNN and CNBC in London.
Tony joined the Barbican Centre Trust in July 2019. He is the founder of creative agency TC & Friends and co-founder, with artist Ryan Gander, of OTOMOTO – the design, art and ideas platform. Tony is the editor and creative director of the definitive monograph of designer Paul Smith published by Phaidon and the Co-Chair of Brainstorm Design, Fortune magazine’s design & business conference. From 2003 to 2018 Tony served as Editor-in-Chief and Creative Director of Wallpaper* magazine, for which he still contributes. He also served as Art Director of British GQ and Art Editor of The Sunday Times Magazine. He has twice been named the PPA Designer of Year and twice Editor of the Year by the British Society of Magazine Editors. He is a recipient of the Mark Boxer Award for outstanding services to the Publishing Industry – the most prestigious honour in British publishing.
Cas has been a Trustee of the Barbican Centre Trust since August 2022. She has been involved in arts advocacy and philanthropy for over twenty years following a career in mineral broking. She has supported and sat on various boards including The Royal Court Development Board, Headlong Touring Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre, as well as Theatre 503. She has also supported new directors’ programmes at the Royal Court and the National Theatre and speaks at the National Theatre’s Directors’ Course on Philanthropy. For 20 years she was a Trustee of The Kipungani Schools’ Trust in Kenya, responsible for building 17 schools and educating over 30,000 children.
David has been a Trustee of the Barbican Centre Trust since May 2021. He is the co-founder of both Elevenfiftyfive, an entertainment specialist marketing agency and Ourscreen, the UK’s foremost crowd surfing cinema platform. David had key roles in developing the iconic Orange Wednesday and Secret Cinema as well as creating industry-wide Virgin Media Shorts, E4 Slackers Club and most recently BFI and National Lottery backed MASSIVE Cinema. He has a BA Honours in both art and business and has established a unique career and network combining entrepreneurialism with creativity while trend spotting within film and cinema.
Ann joined the Barbican Centre Trust in 2022 after her role as first female ‘Master’/CEO of local 17th century charity, the Charterhouse. During her tenure, she transformed the institution into a modern progressive charity welcoming female residents ('Brothers') for the first time and turning round the charity's finances, for which she received the Freedom of the City of London in 2021. Ann has over forty years of experience in senior roles at IBM, as Secretary General of policy forum, the Franco-British Council and as Chair of the London Cycling Campaign, She was awarded an OBE and France’s Ordre Nationale de Mérite for her bilateral innovative work, and a Southwark Civic award for her book and local work promoting environmental transport. In 2023 she launched a new venture 'End of Life Matters' supporting individuals of all ages to create their unique end of life plan.
Kendall has been a Trustee of the Barbican Centre Trust since October 2017. She is one of the founding members and a Senior Partner of Patron Capital Partners, a European private equity real estate fund. Kendall is actively involved in addressing the gender imbalance in the finance industry. She is also a founding investment committee member of the first gender lens real estate fund, Women in Safe Homes Fund which is dedicated to addressing the shortage of affordable safe homes for women suffering from domestic abuse. Prior to Patron, Kendall worked at Cargill INC and prior to that she was a banking lawyer at Clifford Chance.
Sir William Russell Alderman has been Deputy Chair of the Barbican Centre Board and a Trustee of the Barbican Centre Trust since May 2022. He served as Lord Mayor of the City of London from 2019 to 2021 and set up and Chaired the Culture & Commerce taskforce during his term. Elected Alderman for the Ward of Bread Street in March 2013. Sir William has over thirty years’ experience in the financial and business City including holding senior positions in the national and international banking sector. He also has several charitable interests: he has served as Chair of the Development Board of the Royal Court Theatre; as a Board Member of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is also on the Council of the Royal Theatrical Support Trust. He is immediate past Chair of Prostate Cancer UK and past Deputy Chair of Place2Be, a children’s mental health charity.
Tom has been Chair of the Barbican Board since 2020 and a Trustee of the Barbican Centre Trust since May 2020. He is an elected Councillor at the City of London Corporation, which is the founder and principal founder of the Barbican and vice chair of their Policy and Resources Committee – the main strategic decision-making group for the Corporation. Tom is also Director of Corporate Affairs at the technology company and bank, The Bank of London Group, a new global institution and the world’s first purpose-built global clearing agency and transaction bank. He has held senior roles at Lloyds Banking Group, Amazon, and the BBC. (Twitter: @tomsleigh)
Claire Spencer joined the Barbican in May 2022 as the first ever CEO. Claire was previously at the Arts Centre Melbourne where she successfully led a thriving cultural centre, re-positioned the organisation to be a key player in the district’s creative economy and steered it through the Covid-19 pandemic. In the 2020 Australia Day honours list she was conferred a Member of the Order of Australia for her work in the performing arts. Claire has been a champion of women in leadership and a supporter of organisations and projects that provide scholarships and mentoring support to those from marginalised or disadvantaged backgrounds.
Sian has been a Trustee of the Barbican Centre Trust since August 2022. She is a Senior Adviser at Rothschild & Co in the Global Advisory Division, Chair of Strathberry Holdings Limited and a Non-Executive Director of Fenwick Limited and of ASC Regenity Limited. She is a Non-Executive Director of the British Fashion Council and was President of the BFC’s Business and Investment Pillar and Co-chair of the BFC Fashion Trust from 2016 to 2020. She was a Trustee of the Royal Academy of Arts from 2013 to 2023 and is a member of the Development Committee of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. She has had several other roles in the arts including being on the Advocates Board of the Royal Court Theatre and serving two full terms on the Board of English National Ballet and Chairing their Development Committee.
