CHARCOALBLUE - Key Persons
Aishwarya joined Charcoalblue as a Theatre Design Architect with a background in Spatial design, Architecture for Performance, Exhibition design and Interior Architecture. With over four years of experience, she has contributed to large-scale cultural and residential projects, working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams across India, Oman, and the UK.
Prior to her tenure at Charcoalblue, Aishwarya worked as an architect in DD Architects in Kerala, India and Wagle and Associated in Goa, India where she specialized in conservation architecture. Her notable projects include the Goa Police Headquarters and the Vadakkumnathan Temple complex. She has led the development of multiple residential and educational spaces from concept to design delivery. In addition, she has independently worked in Exhibition design and Brand exhibition projects in the UK. She also worked as an intern architect in Towell Talati in Oman.
Aishwarya is passionate about art and design. She founded Kalabhaasha (‘Art is the language I speak'), a brand where she crafts bespoke artworks and journals that resonate with individual personalities and stories. She has designed artworks for private residences, well-being centers and restaurants. Additionally, Aishwarya is a trained performer in Indian classical dance.
Aishwarya provides consultancy in all aspects of theatre design, specializing in auditorium design, theatre planning and theatre sightlines.
Alex joined Charcoalblue after 10 years' experience in the theatre and events industries, having held positions across the full spectrum of AV systems design and engineering.
Most recently, he worked as an Installations Project Manager for Masque Sound & Recording where he engineered and managed integrations of state-of-the-art AV systems for clients including New York University, Manhattan School of Music, Central Synagogue, among many others.
Alex has also worked for many other theatre companies and festivals both in New York City and regionally as a freelance sound designer and engineer, including roles at Signature Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, Manhattan Theatre Club, Williamstown Theatre Festival and with the Pigpen Theatre Company.
Alex has over 8 years experience in the construction industry. While studying Architectural Technology at Brighton University, Alex worked as a Utility Infrastructure Consultant delivering the design and project management of underground utilities for large scale infrastructure projects. Later, moving into the digital aspects of the role, such as automation and visualization.
Upon Graduating in 2019, Alex began working as an Architectural Technologist, delivering RIBA stage 4-5 projects, specifically with office fit outs, industrial units and and student accommodation buildings. He also aided in developing the company XR strategy.
Along side this, Alex has also spent 4 years developing XR applications for research projects, specifically within Infrastructure, Educational and Urban Agriculture industries.
Since joining Charcoalblue Experience in 2022, Alex has worked with the Digital Design team, assisting in the development of applications such as VR Sightline Studies and Sightline Heatmaps.
Alex provides digital design solutions such as VR sightline studies, as well as contributing towards the company research & development initiatives.
Alex provides theatre planning, consultancy on all aspects of theatre design, specialising in the design of stage lighting and technical access systems.
In his over 15 years of theatre consultancy, including a 6 year stint at ARUP, Alex has worked on a number of high profile projects including the award-winning Dorfman Theatre at the National Theatre, the new Sadler's Wells Theatre at London's Olympic Park and the first new London West End theatre since 1973, at Soho Place.
In addition, he has 25 years' experience as a theatre practitioner in the roles of lighting designer, production manager and technical stage manager; including five years as production manager for Kneehigh Theatre.
Alex has taught at Rose Bruford College and contributed to a number of high profile industry publications including ABTT's ‘Theatre Buildings: A Design Guide'.
Alex's consultancy work at Charcoalblue includes the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Chichester Festival Theatre, Perth Theatre, the Darlington Hippodrome and neighbouring Hullabaloo Theatre, Eton School Hall and St John's Church, Waterloo.
Allie has worked in nearly all aspects of the entertainment industry. After earning her B.A. in Theatre, she spent the next decade in various roles including stage management, ticketing, spotlighting, costuming, props designing, voice acting and performing on stage, in film and animation in Atlanta.
In 2021, Allie moved to Chicago for its rich theatre history and architectural significance. Looking to marry her passions for theatre and administration, she joined Charcoalblue in 2022 as the Chicago Studio Administrator, bringing with her 6 years of corporate Administrative and Knowledge Management experience in addition to her skilled background in theatre.
Allie oversees the global Studio Administrators team and maintains the operations and administration of the Chicago Studio.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- in 2017 As an Architect
Amanda joined Charcoalblue in 2017 as an architect with experience managing and coordinating performance related construction projects. She is a graduate of the Edinburgh College of Art and developed a passion for theatre whilst working with Capital Theatres, Edinburgh.
Before joining Charcoalblue, she worked with Foster Wilson Architects on a number of performance related projects for clients such as the Barbican Concert Hall, Apollo Hammersmith and the Ambassadors Theatre Group.
In her spare time, Amanda is a volunteer with the Camden Roundhouse Trust. She completed her Part III Advanced Diploma in Architectural Professional Practice with RIBA North West.
Amanda's consultancy work with Charcoalblue includes the Esplanade Waterfront Theatre in Singapore, Cultural Center Education City in Doha, and The Lighthouse Centre in London.
Amanda provides consultancy in all aspects of theatre design, specialising in auditorium design and planning, foyer planning, seating, sightlines and accessibility.
Tina, Kathryn, Gary, Elina, Lee, Amanda and Gavin from our theatre design team huddle in for a photo.
Andrea is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Theatrical Production. For the past 15 years, she has been working in and around the design and creative worlds, supporting the design and build process from the initial concepts, through budgeting and bidding, all the way to production, installation, buildout and turnover.
For 10+ years, Andrea wore many hats at I. Weiss, a theatrical rigging drapery contractor in the NYC area. Her most recent role was as the Head of the Installation department and project manager, overseeing hundreds of projects centered around new construction and renovation of theatrical spaces across the country and here in New York.
More recently, Andrea has worked in a freelance capacity as an Associate Director of Project Management with Digitas on a new retail concept store, as a Senior Project Manager for SET Creative, an Experiential Design and Marketing Firm, and as an Account Manager with Creative Realities, focused on bringing technology into the retail shopping experience.
Andrea works with major digital clients of Charcoalblue helping them to conceptualize, design, and deliver world-class events spaces.
Job Titles:
- Meeting Room Technology Designer
Andrew has worked in the audiovisual industry for over fifteen years, working his way through sales, installation, operation, commissioning and design in corporate, residential, education and marine settings. This experience has led to a thorough understanding of each step in the project lifecycle and an acute attention to detail.
His experience has seen him work as an AV consultant for a large engineering consultancy, looking after bespoke AV design requests for a large tech client; and a considerable stretch at a large systems integrator quoting for, designing, commissioning corporate and education AV designs.
Andrew joined Charcoalblue having spent two years embedded in a large major client's AV design team. His responsibilities there were to consult on, design and prototype meeting space audiovisual systems with global alignment in operation and experience. He looks forward to continuing the work with this client, making sure their ‘video first' and collaboration focused meeting culture is enabled through the provision of reliable, intuitive, accessible, equitable and user experience informed designs.
Outside work, Andrew is an avid music enthusiast. If he is not listening to something and drumming on the table; he is likely to be playing, editing, mixing or just dreaming about music. His unconscious brain's favourite pastime is mixing ‘ear-worms' with odd numbered time signatures. He finds it very annoying.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Member of the Partners - Partners and Managing Directors Team
- Partner
Following a number of leading technical roles at major theatres including three years as Chief Electrician/Lighting Designer at the Theatre Royal in Richmond and a Directorship at Theatre Projects, Andy co-founded Charcoalblue in 2004.
Andy has lectured at Yale, Cambridge. LIPA and Canterbury Universities and has written extensively on the subject of performance space design for ABTT and ITEAC. He was the first (and only) theatre consultant to date to be featured in The Stage's ‘Power 100' and received the LIPA Companionship from Sir Paul McCartney.
Andy's consultancy work includes ART in Cambridge, MA; The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Orange Tree Theatre in London and Royal Shakespeare Theatre redevelopment in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
"Andy Hayles, who I have worked with continuously for over ten years, is an invaluable colleague and one of the best team players in the business."
Angelica is a graduate from Stony Brook University and is looking to continue and develop her education by working towards her MS in Human Resources Management. Along with educational experience, Angelica has worked in both the Finance and HR field. She hopes that her experience in both areas and her passion for improving policies and processes will allow for Charcoalblue to cultivate a supportive environment for all employees.
Angelica works alongside the HR Team and is responsible for providing support to the Americas.
Job Titles:
- HR Coordinator - EMEA / Aus
Ashleigh is originally from New Zealand and completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology. She is currently working towards her CIPD Level 5 in People Management. Before joining Charcoalblue, Ashleigh worked for a sustainable logistics company with experience in both talent and HR roles.
Job Titles:
- Training & Development Coordinator / EDI Coordinator
Ayesha works in the training and development team at Charcoalblue. Ayesha supports the Group Training and Development Manager with the smooth running of the global training and development work across the UK, North America and Australia.
Becky has spent 15 years working in professional theatres, opera houses, concert halls and performance spaces around the world, taking her to interesting, diverse places, interacting with different cultures and peoples that Becky continues to draw from in her work.
Prior to joining Charcoalblue Becky worked as a Technical Solutions Manager and Primary Install Consultant with Enlightened Lighting, managing projects, systems programming, design and specification for theatrical, events and performance spaces.
As Lead Electrician for Dragone at "The House of Dancing Water" show in Macau, she led the lighting maintenance team and operation of theatre lighting with the added twist of thousands of litres of water! Prior to this, Becky also worked at Melbourne Theatre Company as Deputy Head of Lighting on such shows as the revival of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" directed by Simon Phillips in his last MTC production as Artistic Director.
To assist and consult on all aspects of theatre design with an emphasis on stagelighting system design.
Ben provides consultancy in all aspects of theatre design, specialising in auditorium design and planning, seating, sightlines and accessibility. As Design Principal, he champions and mentors on theatre design and code across the practice.
Ben trained as an architect and has twelve years' experience in auditorium design and theatre planning, while working on various venues in the UK and abroad. His experience also includes five years as an architectural assistant, including time at Make Architects working on a large range of jobs in London, Bahrain and Barbados. Ben also has ten years' experience as an assistant theatre set designer with Johan Engels.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director - Finance
Bernardo joined Charcoalblue in 2016 as our in-house Bookkeeper and has since become our Finance Coordinator and then Finance Manager overseeing our finance for UK, US, and Australia, and managing the finance teams in London and New York.
Bernardo manages the finance department at Charcoalblue, overseeing the finance functions in the UK, US, and Australia including payroll, invoicing, department budgeting and management accounts..
Job Titles:
- Senior Consultant
- Member and Director of the American Institute of Architects
Bradley began his career in theatre consulting when he took his first piano lesson at the age of four. Some years later, he found a home on stage, in the orchestra pit, and as a set designer with his local community theatre company. Eventually he combined his passion for music and theatre with his education in architecture and began specializing in performing arts design. After nine years as an architect, dedicating himself to the performing arts world through consulting was a natural progression - first in acoustics and then as a theatre designer. Collectively, his experience affords him keen insight into every aspect of the theatre design process and a wealth of first-hand knowledge on creative, technical, and administrative operations once a project is open.
Bradley's recently completed project work includes Klarman Hall, the main convening hall at Harvard Business School; The Momentary experimental visual, performing, and culinary arts venue operated by Crystal Bridges Museum, and the new theatre and dance building at Macalester College in St. Paul. He has over 50 performing arts projects completed or under construction, as well as several studies and unrealized projects.
Bradley is a Member and Director of the American Institute of Architects. He is a Member of the United States Institute of Theatre Technology, Vice Commissioner USITT's Architecture Commission, as well as a Committee Member of USITT's Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. He is also a member of the United States Green Building Council.
Bradley provides consultancy in all aspects of theater design, specializing in auditorium design and planning, seating, sightlines and accessibility.
Brian is a Senior Project Manager who specializes in complex projects with a strong attention to detail, who communicates clearly and effectively, and who emphasizes creative and collaborative problem solving.
Brian worked as a Project Manager for the Northeast Office of Texas Scenic Company, Inc. for six years where he managed the design, fabrication, and installation of theatrical rigging systems and stage machinery in both new construction and renovation from contract signing to project closeout.
In addition to my experience with Texas Scenic, he has worked as a Technical Director for various festivals and productions, a Flying Director for a performer flying company, and a Project Engineer for a construction management firm. Brian has an MFA in Technical Production from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from California State University, Sacramento.
Brian is responsible for coordinating and delivering Audio Visual systems for our clients from Concept through Delivery to the end user.
A graduate of the Architectural Sciences programme at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, and previously a consultant at Cerami Associates, Bruno's previous work as an acoustician includes room acoustic design, mechanical noise control, environmental noise mitigation, acoustic isolation, and acoustic modelling.
Since joining Charcoalblue Bruno has focused on the acoustic design of Charcoalblue's North American projects.
Bruno's consultancy work includes sound separation performance and detailing for Southern Repertory Theatre in New Orleans Louisiana, room acoustic design for the 2016 Luminato Festival at the Hearn Generating Station in Toronto, Canada, full acoustic services for TheatreSquared in Fayetteville, Arkansas and Stages Repertory Theatre, Houston Texas. His most recently completed project is the Thaden Performing Arts Building in Bentonville Arkansas.
Bruno provides consultancy on all aspects of room acoustic design and planning, sound separation, noise and vibration design for the performing arts.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Member of the Partners - Partners and Managing Directors Team
- Partner
- Managing Director / Partner - Acoustics
Byron Harrison premiered the acoustics practice at Charcoalblue as a solo practitioner in 2010. Under his design direction and leadership, the firm now has twelve full-time acousticians. He was welcomed in the Charcoalblue partnership in 2017.
As a specialist in the technical coordination and delivery of complex schemes for performing arts buildings, Byron has experience in the detailed analysis and detailing of sound separation between critical spaces, including coordination with building structures to achieve cost-effective and buildable solutions to acoustic challenges. He has delivered many schemes with low background noise due to building systems, demanding accurate prediction of noise levels to meeting design criteria efficiently and without over-design.
Byron has been principal acoustics designer on Charcoalblue projects such as St Ann's Warehouse, Brooklyn, the theatre and chamber opera venue at Chateau d'Hardelot in France, the 1,100-seat Energy Hall in Astana, Kazakhstan, and the Wharf Renewal project for Sydney Theatre Company. Other completed projects include The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, Bristol Old Vic Studio Theatre and Foyer, and the Waterfront Theatre for the Esplanade, Singapore. He was one of the lead designers of the Waikato Regional Theatre in Hamilton, New Zealand which is currently in construction. Currently, he is leading Charcoalblue's work for the Renewal project for the Barbican Centre, London.
He is the Acoustics Advisor to St Paul's Cathedral, London.
"Byron Harrison is brilliant! We couldn't be more pleased with his work and the manner in which he interacts with all of the players…."
Byron is the leader of our global acoustics practice, incorporating room acoustics, sound separation, and noise and vibration design.
Byron began his career with Talaske │Sound Thinking. He was integral to the delivery of major projects, including the 1,100-seat concert hall at Goshen College and the Jay Pritzker Music Pavilions for the Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra and Chorus. Byron developed and delivered the design concept for a new orchestra shell for the de Jong Concert Hall at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and was the lead acoustician for the Walgreen Drama Center for the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at the University of Michigan.
Caroline has over 15 years of experience in theatre and live events, specializing in lighting design and controls, in addition to 5 years of lighting design for themed entertainment. Caroline obtained their MFA in Theatre Design and Technology from San Diego University in 2018. During their studies, they also worked for the local leading manufacturers representative as a specifier and theatrical systems designer. Upon graduating, Caroline went to work for Walt Disney Imagineering in Burbank, CA, specializing in lighting design, controls, and parkwide systems, until going freelance in 2019.
Outside of permanent installation work, Caroline has worked a lighting and projections designer and associate designer throughout the United States and internationally. They have worked in theatre, live events, dance, and opera at a multitude of venues, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Princess Cruise Lines, BlizzCon, Comic-Con, The Old Globe, Cygnet Theatre, Hawai'i Education of the Arts, and numerous others.
A Royal Albert Hall alum, Caroline began as Assistant Technical Show Manager and was promoted to Technical Show Manager within a year. She soon progressed to the role of resident Rigging Manager. She joined Charcoalblue in 2013, bringing with her considerable experience in stage engineering.
Caroline has also been a freelance rigger and lighting technician and has lent her services to establishments such as PRG Europe, TSL Lighting, SFL Group, KRS Rigging and PTG Productions Ltd. She is currently Director and Trustee of the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT), a charity and membership organisation which ‘provide technical advice, consultations, training and are a vital resource to those working in the technical theatre industry.'
Her consultancy work with Charcoalblue includes The Rotondes, Luxembourg; The Peter Hall PAC, Perse School, Cambridge; Alexandra Palace, London; Chateau d'Hardelot, France; Storyhouse, Chester; Royal Albert Hall, London; The Boulevard Theatre, London; Massey Hall, Toronto; Eton College School Hall, Berkshire.
Caroline consults on all elements of theatre design, with a specialism in the design of stage engineering and other technical systems.
Cassie supports the Event Space Design Management team on process development, assists with development and maintenance of internal ESDM tools and assets and works within the larger coordinator team to share knowledge and information across service lines.
Cesar works alongside the Business Support Team to provide IT support for all and ensure IT systems are running smoothly and efficiently.
Aerospace Engineering graduate Chris worked at Arup for seven years prior to joining Charcoalblue with extensive experience in theatre consultancy, specialising in the design of production lighting, seating and stage engineering systems.
Before joining Charcoalblue, Chris worked as a technical systems designer and acted as the main point of contact with architects and contractors as project manager on a number of performing arts projects, primarily in Singapore.
Chris' consultancy work with Charcoalblue includes the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Linbury Theatre at the Royal Opera House.
Chris consults on all elements of theatre design and is a specialist in the design of stage engineering and other technical systems.
Chris has over twenty years of production management experience, having spent the past 17 years as the Director of Production at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. At CST he served as a senior member of the leadership team focusing on strategic, operational, and programmatic endeavors, while leading the production efforts of the theater. Chris was a key member of the Chicago Shakespeare leadership team responsible for project management and creation of The Yard theater with Charcoalblue, and for developing operational processes in its early seasons. He has been fortunate to collaborate with some of the world's most prominent and respected theaters including the Abbey Theater, La Comedie Francaise, Farber Foundry, National Theater of Scotland, Kneehigh Theatre, Belarus Free Theatre, Isango Ensemble, Druid Theater Company, Colla Marionnette Company, the Market Theatre of Johannesburg, Ontroerend Goed, Compagnie du Hanneton, and others. He has had the opportunity to tour work to venues in England, Scotland, Germany, South Africa, Australia, and South Korea. Chris has provided production related consultancy services to Category 41 Experiential Entertainment related to large scale immersive work, and to Pemberley Productions producing and general management efforts around commercial touring. He was the Production Manager for Umalleniay Productions from 2003-2006, as a proud member of Chicago's vibrant storefront theater community.
Chris provides team leadership, design consultancy and project management services.
Before joining Charcoalblue in 2021, Christina worked on a variety of technical design projects within the theatre and entertainment worlds including Broadway shows, tours, regional theatre, theme parks, cruise ships, and permanent installations. She spent most of the formative years of her theatrical career having to problem-solve and be creative in almost everything but typical proscenium-style theaters and has since gotten to experience many of the obstacles and annoyances of some of the older theatrical houses in New York and nationally while working as a technical designer. Some of the most memorable projects she has worked on include: the scenic, front-of-house renovations in the Lyric Theatre for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child; converting the entire Imperial Theatre into an interactive performance space for The Great Comet of 1812; designing the wall and bridge structure for the News Nation studio in Chicago; and knowing that she still has pieces of scenery on every Hamilton currently in the US and Australia.
Christina's experiences give her a unique eye and mindset when it comes to problem-solving and collaborating. Her goal in consulting is to help design spaces that are as functional as possible for everyone making the show happen and minimizing as many logistical challenges as possible.
Christina earned her MFA in Technical Design and Production from the Yale School of Drama.
To consult on all elements of theatre design, specializing in the design of stage engineering and other technical systems.
Job Titles:
- Business Unit Coordinator
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- Event Space Design Manager
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- Event Space Design Manager
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- Coordinator
- Studio Coordinator
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- Training & Development Coordinator
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- Theatre Consulting Intern
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- Member of the Partners - Partners and Managing Directors Team
- Partner
- Managing Director / Partner - Theatre Consultancy Australasia
Job Titles:
- Member of the Partners - Partners and Managing Directors Team
- Partner
- Managing Director / Partner - Theatre Consultancy EMEA
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- Member of the Partners - Partners and Managing Directors Team
- Partner
- Senior Partner - Design & New Work
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- Theatre Consultant Assistant
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- Member of the Partners - Partners and Managing Directors Team
- Partner
- Managing Director / Partner - Charcoalblue Experience
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- Associate Director - People
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- Personal Assistant
- Senior Partner
Job Titles:
- Member of the Partners - Partners and Managing Directors Team
- Partner
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- Member of the Partners - Partners and Managing Directors Team
- Partner
- Senior Partner - Contracts & Finance
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- Senior Consultant & Blue Team Principal
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- Regional Manager - People
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- Business Development Manager
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- Marketing and Business Development Coordinator
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- Member of the Partners - Partners and Managing Directors Team
- Partner
- Managing Director - Theatre Consultancy Americas
Job Titles:
- Member of the Partners - Partners and Managing Directors Team
- Partner
- Senior Partner - People
Job Titles:
- Business Development Manager
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- Marketing and Business Development Coordinator
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- Senior Event Space Design Manager
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- Senior Event Space Design Manager
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- Finance Coordinator - EMEA / Aus
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- Digital Design Consultant
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- Marketing and Business Development Assistant
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- Senior Creative Consultant