Meet the Team Martin Bright, Founder & CEO Martin is the award-winning former Political Editor of the New Statesman and The Jewish Chronicle. His idea for Creative Society (formerly New Deal of the Mind) captured the imagination of the cultural world in 2009 and attracted the support of politicians from across the political spectrum. Martin is Founder and Chief Executive of Creative Society. Since March 2009 he has been working closely with ministers, officials and arts organisations to deliver jobs in the creative industries. [email protected] Barbara Palczynski, Managing Director Barbara joined Creative Society in November 2016 bringing with her a wealth of knowledge of the arts and creative sector to strengthen our strategic-thinking and projects work. She has worked for 20 years in music, overseeing large-scale orchestral and opera projects, to cross-arts, multi-media and digital projects with NPOs. She was a founding member of the pop-up club inégales, an open space for multi-genre free improvisation and collaboration. Several of her projects have been nominated for an RPS Award. She has worked with multiple stakeholders across many different countries and she believes firmly in the importance of cultural exchange, creating an environment in which partnership working, imagination and openness can flourish. Barbara works on the strategic planning and business development of the charity and oversees the mentoring and projects for Creative Society. [email protected] Kitty Withington, Project Manager After graduating from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2014, Kitty worked as a freelance drama facilitator and playwright for theatre projects across London. Kitty’s debut play The View From Down Here was produced at Ovalhouse in South London in October 2014. Kitty has since worked for Theatre Royal, Stratford East and Rewrite as both playwright and facilitator. At Creative Society, Kitty manages the Creative Job Studio in partnership with Somerset House. Kitty also mentors young creatives and set up the Creative Society Lates programme at Peckham Levels. [email protected] Saira Niazi, Artistic Director Saira is a writer, guide and community worker. She is also the founder of Living London, a platform featuring London's hidden gems through events, workshops, wandering tours, and a blog. Over the years, she has explored, photographed and written about hundreds of London gems, from bingo halls and burial grounds towild nature reserves and quirky art galleries. She has worked with communities across the city from Nepalese gardeners in Plumstead to urban skaters in Fulham on various oral history, film, food, art and heritage projects. She has been leading secret London wanderings in different areas across the city for over five years. Her creative wanderings bring to life London's secret spaces through storytelling and anecdotes of people and place. Saira is Artistic Director for Creative Society's Creative Rewilding project.