Mark Turner joined the Board in October 2018 before becoming Chairman in 2020. He spent the last 20 years of his career as Global Head of Strategic Planning and then as Global Head of Structured Finance for one of the world’s largest corporates. He was recruited to the Board to bring that experience to bear in helping to move the financial side of Guildhall Renaissance forward. Mark’s interests include theatre and sailing.

Declan has been an active Board member of a number of local Hampshire organisations over the past 8 years, including as Chair of Trustees of Home-Start Butser, a Trustee of Home-Start Hampshire and a Trustee of the Spring Arts and Heritage Centre in Havant. Declan was a Senior Human Resources Consultant with IBM for over 30 years, working in the UK and across Europe, before setting up his own HR consultancy some 8 years ago specialising in employee benefits, acquisitions and HR Project Management.

Sam is currently the Chair of Portsmouth Ambassadors and works actively to support the Shaping Portsmouth Programme. She is currently a serving Headteacher and has worked extensively in both secondary and primary school settings, teaching and leading school improvement projects. She graduated with a degree in Humanities from the University of Greenwich and then went on to Kings College London to pursue her career in teaching. Sam was awarded the honour of being named as Portsmouth Poet Laureate.

Peter was BH Live’s founding Chief Executive and led the organisation through a period of significant growth and business expansion. Prior to this, he was Managing Director of the Bournemouth International Centre and Pavilion Theatre. He moved to this role having spent 10 years as General Manager of the nationally recognised Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex. Previous roles also include Chair of Community Leisure UK and Vice President of the AIPC, which promotes excellence in conference and event management.

I was an equity partner for 30 years in various regional accountancy practices, finishing with a UK top 20 and retiring in 2015. I now run my own consultancy company and help with strategic consultancy and growth ideas across a number of key sectors. I’m involved with a medical fund helping start ups and have just been appointed Entrepreneur in Residence at Southampton University. I was chair for 10 years of Wessex Neurological Centre Trust.

Pam is a teamwork expert and author of business books Supercharged Teams and The Workshop Book. As a Trustee at The Guildhall, Pam brings 20 years experience of helping people work better together for positive change in global corporates and local organisations via Project Bridge collaboration workshops. Pam is also MD of agency Paraffin, winner of The Queen's Award for Enterprise 2021, TJ Silver Awards Winner, and an accredited member of WEConnect Women Owned Businesses.

Alison is Managing Director of Law Firm, Biscoes, which has been part of Portsmouth's business community since 1854. She has been a solicitor for 28years, 20 of those as a care lawyer in the city, working with some of the most disadvantaged in Portsmouth, making her even more determined to see aspirations raised through good education and community support. Alison also serves as a Director and Company Secretary of Shaping Portsmouth CIC, is a Trustee of Pompey in the Community, a Director at LawNetUK and mentors for the girls network.

Julia’s skills are in large scale creative digital delivery of live performance, and theatrical General and Project Management. She started at Yes/No Productions, home to international show, STOMP and after a break and postgraduate degree in Law, she joined RSC for the UK tour of Matilda the Musical, followed by the Audience of the Future project, a large-scale complex arts and research partnership led by RSC. She is now Creative Digital Producer at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Ming is an Innovation Design Engineer and Industrial Designer, leading the development of The Makers Guild - multi-industry design studios that have been positively disrupting Portsmouth's creative industries since 2016. Bringing 12 years of product development experience, a wealth of knowledge in multiple craft and design industries, with a degree in Product Design and Interaction from the University for the Creative Arts, MRes Technology and an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Portsmouth. Also a Trustee of Ports Fest.

Mike is Chief Executive at Southampton City Council, having held a number of previous roles at the council, including Deputy Chief Executive, Service Director for Growth, Head of Planning, Transport and Culture and Head of Leisure and Culture. In all these roles he exhibited a passion for shaping a positive environment for residents, business and visitors. Mike has a BA (Hons) in Sports and Recreation Studies, a MBA and is a Local Government Association Peer Assessor.

Founder, Lead Singer and Bassist with legendary band, Level 42, Mark has been a Patron of The Guildhall Trust since 2016. He believes music venues like the Guildhall are the life blood of the live music industry and is keen to support Portsmouth Guildhall to ensure it continues to thrive.

Following 6 years as Chair of the Board, Mark continues his involvement with The Guildhall Trust as a Patron to support the Trust’s work around emerging business, community and skills development. As CEO of the Southern Coop and an Ambassador for the Princes Trust, Mark has a wealth of experience within the business and charity sectors.

A painter, sculptor and printmaker, Le Brun was elected President of the Royal Academy in December 2011, the youngest to be elected since Lord Leighton in 1878. Born in Portsmouth in 1951, Le Brun trained at the Slade and Chelsea Schools of Art, London. In his early career he was a double prize winner at the John Moores exhibitions 1978 & 1980, also showing in the Venice Biennale 1980 and the ground breaking Zeitgeist at the Martin-Gropius Bau, Berlin in 1982. He has since exhibited extensively worldwide.

Since 1984, British multi-instrumentalist Spike Edney has been Queen‘s Musical Director and keyboard player, performing with the band at “Live Aid”, “Rock in Rio”, “Live at Wembley” and “Knebworth”. He has worked with Bob Geldof’s Boomtown Rats, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Thomas Dolby, Haircut 100 and Duran Duran. With his own band Spike’s All-Star Band a.k.a. The SAS Band he has gone on to perform with Roy Wood, Chaka Khan, Roger Daltrey, Lionel Richie, Roger Taylor, Brian May, Paloma Faith, The Sugababes and many more.

Actress, model, author and activist, Joanna Lumley OBE joins the Trust as an advocate for the Renaissance of Portsmouth Guildhall. The recipient of three BAFTA Awards, the Special Recognition Award at the 2017 National Television Awards and the BAFTA Fellowship Award for her work on screen and stage, Joanna played the legendary Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous until 2012, stepping back into the role for Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie in 2016 and has numerous other credits to her name.

Composer, pianist, bandleader and broadcaster, Jools Holland OBE DL joins the Trust as a Patron and advocate for the Renaissance of Portsmouth Guildhall. After starting out playing pubs in the East End docks, Jools Holland went on to lead his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and sell millions of records worldwide. He was an original member of the band ‘Squeeze’ and he has worked with many artists, including Sting, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, George Harrison, David Gilmour, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Florence Welch, Paul Weller and Van Morrison.

TV personality, Fred Dinenage MBE joins the Trust as a Patron and advocate for the Renaissance of Portsmouth Guildhall. Recently celebrating his 55th Anniversary with ITV, Fred has presented a number of shows including Tell the Truth, World of Sport, Coast to Coast, How and its successor, How 2 and since 2009 has co-anchored the region’s news programme, Meridian Tonight. Fred has developed a great love for the city of Portsmouth and as a football enthusiast was on the Board of Directors at Portsmouth FC between 1998 and 2007.

Andy has been the CEO of The Guildhall Trust since 2012. Andy has spent his whole career in arts management. Originally with the Apollo Leisure Group in the late 80s where he worked at some of this country’s largest theatres, he joined Stoll Moss Theatres in 1989. He worked on the opening of Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane before taking over as manager of the Lyric Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue. He has opened and developed many unique venues including the Hat Factory in Luton in 2004 and the Luton Cultural Trust in 2008.

Rachel has extensive experience in 4 star luxury hotels and then as General Manager at the Charing Cross Theatre in the west end for 5 years. Her experience in both Hospitality & Theatre combined with her passion for excellent customer service is what led her to take on the challenge of The Guildhall in 2013. Rachel has developed the Events & Concert Operations since then with her team.

Since 1984, Nick has developed a vast knowledge of sound, lighting and stage production with a number of positions held within the Guildhall Stage department. In 2012, Nick was appointed the role of Head of Technical Services, with the responsibilities of maintaining and enhancing the fabric of the building, along with overseeing the requirements of events.

With over 20 years of experience within the Tourism & Leisure Industry in Portsmouth, Kelly has been privileged to work for some of the city’s most iconic venues - Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and Kings Theatre. Kelly joined the team in 2017.

Hayley has experience in developing and delivering high quality learning and engagement activities, working with a range of demographics across the community.

Craig has significant experience within the entertainment and event industry, Alongside working freelance, he has worked on large-scale Music festivals, Concerts, theatre and high-end conferences for numerous international promotors, event organisers and businesses throughout his career. With extensive knowledge in Audio, Lighting, Rigging, Video, Temporary Electrical Supplies, Network Infrastructure, Production Management & Health & Safety.

Colin began his career in the USA, working as a conductor in Cincinnati and then in Michigan, before returning to the UK to take up the post of Director of Music at the University of Portsmouth. While there, he founded an orchestra and a concert band, submitted a bid for a new building, and introduced the Portsmouth Chamber Series. He also transformed the standard of the ensembles and took them on eight concert tours all over Europe.

Josh established the Local Music Scene organisation (now known as LMSUK) in 2016, a digital marketing agency that collaborates with musicians worldwide, harnessing the power of online platforms to elevate their careers. An accomplished speaker who specialises in Entrepreneurship, Digital Marketing, and the inspiring Journey to become a Full-Time Musician.