Max May Chief Executive Expand Max joined Creative Lives as Chief Executive in April 2026. 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. At Rural Arts, he launched ground-breaking new programmes, led a capital redevelopment and rebrand, achieved national press coverage, and doubled the organisation’s turnover – all against the background of a global pandemic. 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 served on steering groups for Arts Council England, the National Literacy Trust and is a fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and the Royal Society of Arts. He has an MA from the University of Glasgow, an MBA from York Business School, and is a graduate of Clore and Stonewall leadership programmes. You can contact Max at [email protected]
Lindsey Jackson Finance and HR Director Expand Lindsey joined Creative Lives in 2009 and has the dual role of overseeing Finance and Human Resources for the organisation. She is a member of both the AAT and CIPD, holding qualifications with both. During her spare time, Lindsey enjoys reading and wild swimming. “What I enjoy most about working for Creative Lives is the opportunity to work with so many talented individuals, both in-house and the organisations we work alongside with. It really is inspiring to see so many diverse and different forms of creative expression.” You can contact Lindsey at [email protected]
Gareth Coles Profile Director Expand Gareth is Profile Director for Creative Lives, having joined in 2015. Prior to this, he worked in public services policy for the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA); as a Development Officer for the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO); and as a Grants Officer for the Community Fund / Big Lottery Fund. Gareth has an MA in Medieval Art History from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.Gareth is a Welsh speaker and lives in South Wales. He is also a keen artist, with a particular interest in drawing, and extensive experience in delivering participatory arts workshops. You can contact Gareth at [email protected]
Jess Plant Policy Director Expand Jess Plant joined Creative Lives in September 2020, leading the Creative Lives On Air programme of work, promoting creativity in partnership with BBC local radio stations. Jess went on to drive Creative Lives' place-based work across England and the UK, developing partnerships with Local Authorities and Cities of Culture Trusts to highlight the crucial role of volunteer-led creative activity in communities. Building on this success, in 2025 she was appointed Policy Director at Creative Lives. Jess previously worked at Clinks as the Director of the National Alliance for Arts in Criminal Justice. During her time there she significantly raised the profile of arts in criminal justice settings by successfully securing Arts Council England, National Portfolio Status and developing a pioneering research project in partnership with the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge funded by the ESRC and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Jess was a Trustee of the charity Streetwise Opera for nine years and supported the development of the newly established charity Arts and Homeless International. Jess has continuously worked to enhance creative opportunities for socially excluded adults and young people. Previous roles include working at Homeless Link, where she developed tools to promote arts opportunities for homeless and vulnerable people. Jess has written numerous good practice guides for the arts and voluntary sector and has significant fundraising and management experience. Jess holds a BA Hons in Sociology from the University of Nottingham, and an MA in Art and Design from the University of Brighton. She also completed the Clore Leadership course in February 2017. You can contact Jess at [email protected]
Dan Brown Place Director Expand Dan leads Creative Lives’ place-based work across the UK and Ireland. This involves developing new place projects, establishing new partnerships, and helping to ensure that everyday creativity is recognised, supported and valued as a vital component of community wellbeing. Dan is also lead officer in Scotland, responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders across Scotland. Based in Fife, Dan’s recent roles have included Head of Creative Development at Fife Cultural Trust, where he led place-based programmes, volunteering, secured significant external funding, and shaped creative partnerships spanning local authorities, education, voluntary organisations and national agencies. Prior to this, he worked in various roles including Lecturer in Art & Design at Hereford College of Arts and Deputy Manager of Community & Education for Picturehouse Cinemas. Alongside this, Dan is co-director of long-running visual arts company MASH Cinema, working with moving image at festivals and events across the UK. Dan is also on the Board of trustees for Scottish Youth Film Foundation. You can contact Dan at [email protected]
Kelly Donaldson Editor Expand Kelly has been responsible for Creative Lives' communication and editorial output in Scotland since 2005, and across the whole organisation since 2021. She has also co-ordinated a number of the organisation's projects and exhibitions, including My Time, A Creative Century, Mouth of the River and Scottish Creations. Kelly has a BA (Hons) in Drama, and also works as a freelance arts journalist. She has been The Scotsman’s chief dance critic for over 25 years, is Dance Editor of The List Magazine, writes for a variety of other newspapers, magazines and festivals, and has been a regular guest on BBC Radio Scotland's Review show. Kelly is a member of Love Music Community Choir and Edinburgh Theatre Arts, and enjoys tap dancing, watercolour painting, and creative writing. You can contact Kelly at [email protected]
Seonaid Murray Creative Places, Edenderry Coordinator Expand Seonaid runs our Creative Places, Edenderry project in the Republic of Ireland. She is also a community musician, saxophonist and pianist. Before joining Creative Lives in December 2022, Seonaid was Outreach Officer at The Black Box in Belfast, a project run for and by people with learning disabilities. Seonaid was born in Glasgow and grew up in Bangor, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. She attended Lagan College, the first Integrated school in Northern Ireland, and learnt the importance of mixed education from a young age. She went on to study English Literature and Music at Bath Spa University and then Community Music at The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Seonaid has also lived and worked in New York, Belfast and across Ireland. Seonaid has also worked with and for Cancer Research UK, Autism Initiatives, The Alzheimer’s Society, The Cedar Foundation, NI Chest, Heart and Stroke, many different care and residential settings, community groups, schools and within the charity and voluntary sector. You can contact Seonaid at [email protected]
Jennifer Vernon-Edwards Creative Lives On Air Producer Expand Jennifer is a Creative Lives On Air Producer, based at BBC Radio Sheffield. She says: "Simple things bring me great delight; a good heart to heart conversation or a satisfying cup of tea (with a cake accompaniment!). However, I am made for discovery: musical, people, talent, books, and charity shops! "For the longest time I have been making discoveries about the people and places in South Yorkshire and telling their stories on air with BBC Radio Sheffield. I love it when these stories highlight a convergence between the local and the global; which is surprisingly often. "I’m looking forward to pleasure of further discovery as I attempt to unearth some the hidden creative delights of South Yorkshire!" You can contact Jennifer at [email protected]
Sophie Fraser Place Co-ordinator Expand Sophie joined the Creative Lives Place team as Place Co-ordinator in 2024. Sophie has worked at Brain Health Scotland on their innovative school programme, teaching children how to look after their brain health. She also has a background in fundraising, events and administration. Sophie plays bass and sings in a metal band, and loves creating and crafting. You can contact Sophie at [email protected]