Reflecting on 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, I’m taking a moment to reflect on what has been an extraordinary, whirlwind year. It’s been a privilege to collaborate with so many inspiring creatives, leaders, and organisations across the cultural sector and I’m fully submerged in the ‘consultancy’ sphere now - a goal I set out to achieve this time in 2023. Loving it!
And yet, there has been:
✅ stress
✅ too much to do
✅ not enough hours in the day
✅ unhealthy pressure (on myself)
✅ the same old arts sector systemic BS
✅ ill-health
But that said! There has also been:
✅ joy
✅ fun
✅ tonnes of learning
✅ revelations
✅ fab new relationships
✅ doors opening
This year, I’ve:
• Delivered 7 guest speaking engagements, facilitated 6 Away Days, and led 11 co-creative gatherings. including the Coventry CPP Mixer with Nyasha Daley, Bostin’ Creative Arts Directors’ Strategy Day, bespoke work with Hannah Badge & Dannielle Lecointe and contributing to people make it works’ Future Boards Acelerrator.
• Worked with Coventry University and Culture Central on engagement research and continued delivering Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council’s ‘Creative Business Programme.’ With extra special thanks to Rachel Farrer, Erica Love & Lisa Cleaver for believing in me.
• Supported Nottingham Light Night with strategy, fundraising and planning for their 2025 scale-up. With thanks to Amy Coulson and colleagues at Nottingham City Council - what a team we make!
• Delivered some kick ass projects with Propel Dance CIC including at Sadler's Wells, taking 2 dancers to compete with Team GB’s Para Dance representation at the US Para Dance Sport Open (with thanks to funding from the WMCA International Fund), and performing a new piece the Paralympics GB Homecoming Concert broadcast on Channel 4, produced by tbi media
• Regularly mentored (at least) 26 creatives, including the brilliance of Hal Mayer, Paulina Grenda, Esme Green, Sekia Blye, Scott Peacock, Natalie Haslam, Lihui Liang & exciting emergent work with Eleni Kyriacou, delivered training & advice sessions to many more including on the WMCA Activate Programme & Creative Black Country’s Fundraising Fellowship alongside wonderful Yvonne Gregory.
I’ve also supported 3 Arts Council England funded R&D projects, consulted on Flexus Dance Collective’s “All About The Fight” and consulted on innovative creative projects like Sophina Jagot’s book launch and audiobook EP called #StarTribe
• Surpassed a major milestone in raising over £3.3 million in funding since going freelance in 2020.
Some personal highlights include joining the West Midlands Combined Authority Cultural Leadership Board, the 2Faced Dance Company board, continuing as Chair at Gloucester Guildhall, working with Impelo in 🏴 on radical change transformation, a new business model and succession planning alongside phenomenal Elizabeth Zeddie Lawal 💫
Oh, and attending the Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace back in May was pretty spesh! 👑
Image: me outside the front of Buckingham Palace in May 2024.
2024 was a year of immense growth for my work. I was privileged to collaborate with some incredible clients on projects that deeply align with my values. Together, we navigated complex challenges, achieved ambitious goals, and created impactful change. In many ways, this has been a mega year, and I’m really proud of what my practice has accomplished.
But here’s the other side of the story: I’ve been operating at the absolute limit of my capacity.
This year, the demands of my work often left me feeling frantic and stretched too thin. My physical health has taken a hit under the weight of it all, and as a result, my mental health has also suffered. Of course, those that know me know that a big part of my self-care strategy is to travel. But even that has felt too much this year (plus that added to my physical ailments!).
In hindsight, I see how I fell into the trap of pushing forward without pausing—of “ploughing on,” as I often tell myself, instead of truly prioritising my self-care.
What’s ironic (and humbling) is that I often advocate for self-care in my work and in the values I share with my clients. Yet, in 2024, I struggled to live up to that myself. Saying “no” didn’t come easily this year. Setting boundaries felt like a luxury I couldn’t afford. And as much as I might like to think otherwise, it turns out I’m not immune to the consequences of ignoring my own advice.
So, what’s the lesson?
For me, 2024 has underscored the importance of doing less, but doing it better.
It’s about setting clearer boundaries—not just for my clients, but for myself. It’s about intentionally creating space to recharge and recognizing that I can only show up fully for others when I show up fully for myself first.
This is the mindset I want to carry into 2025. Not as a polished resolution, but as a genuine commitment to a better way of working and living. To anyone reading this who’s been feeling similarly stretched: you’re not alone. It’s okay to pause, to recalibrate, and to prioritize what truly matters—not just for your work, but for your health and wellbeing too. I will be working hard to SLOW DOWN in 2025 🐌
Many of my followers will know how much I value my “tribe”—the people who inspire me, challenge me, and walk alongside me in this work. This includes my coach, Kim, my supervisor Anita, my therapist Rhiannon and a handful of peers and collaborators across the sector who consistently encourage me to think bigger and do better. These relationships remind me that collaboration is where the magic happens. In 2025, one of my key ambitions is to foster more impactful partnerships, particularly with organisations outside my usual remit. While I’ve loved working with local authorities, universities, and similar institutions, I’m eager to expand my focus to other mission-driven organisations.
There’s something uniquely energising about partnering with organisations doing the real work—they have a radical spirit of purpose that aligns so deeply with my values. Together, I believe we can co-create innovative solutions, drive systemic change, and make a meaningful impact.
So, here’s my vision for 2025:
• Deepening Collaboration: Building relationships with like-minded organisations to tackle complex challenges together.
• Working Strategically: Focusing on projects and partnerships that prioritise quality over quantity, creating space for meaningful impact.
• Driving Change: Exploring ways to influence policy and systemic transformation through my work.
If this resonates with you, or if you’re working on something aligned with these ambitions, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s spark a conversation and explore what we might be able to achieve together.
2024 has been a fascinating year, and I’m excited to see where my connections, collaborations, and community take me in the year ahead. Let’s make 2025 a year of real impact.
Image; me with the Propel Dance team at Sadler's Wells in Feb 2024
Thank you to every client, partner, and creative I had the pleasure of working with. My gratitude scale is off the chart!
Here’s to continuing the mission of championing creativity and fostering growth across the cultural sector in 2025… 👀