Creative Lives is delighted to announce the appointment of Max May as its new Chief Executive. 

This is an exciting new chapter for Creative Lives, as Max takes over from retiring Chief Executive Robin Simpson. Max will lead our organisation at a time when there is increasing public and policy awareness of the need to support everyday creativity. 

A cultural leader from the North of England, Max specialises in partnership working and is passionate about how creativity makes everyday life better for us all.

He was previously Chief Officer of HEY Creative, the ACE/DCMS Cultural Compact for Hull and East Yorkshire, where he launched the UK’s first Creative Charter and authored the region’s arts, culture and heritage devolution manifesto.

At the same time, Max served as Strategic Director at North Yorkshire Together, a partnership bringing together almost 100 arts, sports and youth organisations, and was previously CEO of Arts Council England NPO Rural Arts.

Max's background is within combined and participatory arts, in particular the intersection between culture and communities, including posts as General Manager of Access All Areas, and young people’s touring theatre company Theatre Centre. He has an MBA from York Business School, is a graduate of Clore and Stonewall leadership programmes, and has served on steering groups for Arts Council England and the National Literacy Trust.

Max said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Creative Lives at this important time in our nations’ stories. Creativity is our superpower: it transforms lives and builds community. We have to be bolder than ever before in championing its unique role and value. I’m excited to work with the phenomenal team, Board and community groups across the UK and Ireland to be the loudest voice possible for everyday creativity.”

Gavin Stride, Chair of Creative Lives, said: “I am delighted that Max May is joining us. He brings years of working at the intersection of art and community, and has an infectious enthusiasm for everyday creativity. Robin Simpson has worked tirelessly over the past 20 years as a champion for the voluntary arts sector, and we feel certain that Max is the perfect person to build on that legacy. We are excited by Max's vision for what could come next, his passion for finding a place for creativity in all our communities, and his desire to draw the best from the people around him.” 

Max will join Creative Lives in April 2026, with a short period of handover with Robin to ensure a smooth leadership transition.