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, 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. Kitty continues to write outside of work and has completed writing groups at the Soho Theatre and the Royal Court and she is currently working with the Bush Theatre. At Creative Society, Kitty manages the Creative Job Studio programme across London. Kitty is also a mentor to young artists and set up the Creative Society Lates programme, a platform for young artists to showcase their work in Peckham. [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. Yasmin Keita, Young People & Project Assistant Yasmin is an actress, writer and theatre-maker; with experience making performances using movement, spoken word and music. Hailing from London, Yasmin’s motivation for creating authentic and passionate work comes from her pride of growing up around diverse stories. Yasmin trained at The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre arts, and has gone on to work in Theatre, TV and film for many years; collaborating with innovative creatives to produce exciting pieces of work. She has completed courses with Frantic Assembly and Little Angel Theatre, and has also delved into the world of immersive Theatre; performing with Les Enfants Terribles. In addition, Yasmin has spent many years working with different community organisations; to devise entertaining and important creative projects for all to enjoy. [email protected] Cat Soutar, Development Manager Cat joined Creative Society in Spring 2021 to help map the way forward out of lockdown and explore new fundraising opportunities. She has worked with charities and arts organisations both large and small over the past 15 years, with a focus on theatre, education, and audience engagement. Her experience ranges from managing membership schemes to running events; and working closely with individual donors to creating partnerships with trusts, foundations and corporates. She is excited to help Creative Society explore new ways to work with its diverse supporters. Outside of work she sings in a community choir and is delighted that this can now continue (in the park, come rain or shine.) Her lockdown coping strategies have included long walks around East Sussex, where she lives, and a well-documented iPhone photography habit. She volunteers with primary school groups on her local nature reserve to promote outdoor learning and is currently mastering the art of pond dipping alongside preparing strategic proposals for Creative Society. Do contact Cat to discuss your ideas about working with us or supporting our work: [email protected]