THE POLY - Key Persons
Amanda was an active volunteer at The Poly for many years, supporting the development of the History Group including writing a development plan, budget management, organising Fun Days, Schools' Poster Competitions and the award-winning Falmouth History Week in 2017. She was actively involved in the development of HR processes. Her background is leadership, management and development in the voluntary, community, social enterprise and education sectors.
Sadly, a brain haemorrhage in 2018 has left her with limited mobility and whilst she can no longer access the building, she remains committed to the organisation. She is keen to help to re-establish The Poly as a respected and vibrant centre for the arts, science and history in Cornwall and encourage a wider range of people to get involved.
Claire Peate is a novelist and scriptwriter. Her film The Colour Room is streaming on NOW TV/ Sky and won the BAFTA new writing award. More importantly it was also her introduction to The Poly … she took part in two screenings and Q&A events for her film, and she's not looked back. "The Poly, and its staff and volunteers, are marvellous. They're the heart of the community, and through a packed programme The Poly brings so much joy and inspiration to people in so many different ways. I'm really proud to be a trustee, and I hope I can do my bit to ensure The Poly continues to thrive."
When Claire's not writing she can be found wild swimming (or "swimming" as it used to be called) by the Greenbank hotel, no matter the weather.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Director of the Falmouth Book Festival
Colin Midson has worked with books throughout his adult life. He started out as a publicist at Bloomsbury Publishing before working as a commissioning editor at Simon & Schuster. He set up his own publishing PR consultancy, Bookshaped, in 2013 and has worked with authors including Gloria Steinem, Khaled Hosseini, Jeffrey Eugenides, Buzz Aldrin, Eleanor Catton and William Boyd.
He was Creative Director at the Port Eliot Festival where he programmed the literary line-up and compered many events, and has also hosted author talks at Latitude and the Henley and North Cornwall Book Festivals.
Colin is the director of the Falmouth Book Festival, which launched in autumn 2021. He's also the Creative Producer-in-Residence at the School of Communications, Falmouth University, and Associate Programmer for the Charleston Festival 2022.
Ginny has been Chair of the Board of Trustees since April 2022. The Poly occupies a special place in the heart of our community for learning and thinking, for debate and innovation as well as entertainment and enjoyment, and Ginny is honoured to serve this much loved institution which seems as relevant today as it was back in 1833.
Ginny is a freelance art historian, writer and academic, with expertise in modern and contemporary British Art, art education and museum practice. She has worked with artists for over 30 years, initially as a curator at the Tate Gallery and Senior Curator, Tate Britain. She moved to Falmouth in 2001 and held a number of leadership roles at Falmouth University, including Director of Falmouth School of Art until 2018.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Member of the Poly Staff Team
From pottery and collages to talks and hobby horses, Jon's become a trustee at the Poly in part due to the many visits he's made with his two young children. Jon's involved to try and support a place he feels is important to the town, the local community and that acts as an advocate for Cornish culture.
Jon is a marketer and developed a love of language, cycling and strong coffee whilst living and working in Europe. He now lives in Falmouth and spends some of his week as a marketing consultant. He's also a lecturer of marketing at Exeter and Falmouth Universities and was, until recently, trustee of Citizen's Advice Cornwall.
When he's not working, he's writing or seeking out new adventures. Often the former about the latter.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Deputy Director of the Iconic Arvon Writing Centre at Totleigh Barton
Lauren Hogan is currently Deputy Director of the iconic Arvon writing centre at Totleigh Barton. Prior to this she has held positions as Head of Marketing and Communications at Tate St Ives and the the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, and previous marketing roles at National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Eden Project, Visit Cornwall, and Eden Project, after several years in marketing, communications and CSR at The Body Shop.
Passionate about Cornwall, access to arts and culture for all, and the importance of arts and culture to wellbeing and local communities, Lauren is keen to support The Poly through it's next phase as a vital part of Falmouth's community.
Louis has been involved in The Poly for many years, and has served on both the Finance Committee and the Programming Committee.
Louis is a specialist on Asian technology, having run high-level semi-official conferences with Japan, China, Korea (and Russia, Singapore and the Czech Republic). He was a long-time staff member (and Board Member) of Chatham House (the Royal Institute of International Affairs).
He has also written over ten books on various aspects of the global economy. Since moving to Cornwall, he has been a trustee of the Poly (Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society).
For 5 years he ran the 3D Kernow campaign to bring 3D Printing to Cornwall. He is currently researching and lecturing on the history of the Cornish Tourist industry, with the aim of writing a book on this.
Job Titles:
- Marketing & Communications Manager
Rod recently moved into retirement following a career working with large global businesses. He acted as secretary to commercial and charitable organisations over the years and he is currently acting as Secretary to the Council of the Trevithick Society - the Cornish industrial archaeology charity. His administration and governance background means he can provide effective support to The Poly, enabling others to focus on cultural leadership without distraction from the administrivia that many people find tedious and/or frustrating.
Rod is a consumer, rather than producer, of all forms of artistic activity and has been a frequent attendee at Poly events for many years.
Shaquira engages with organisations and individuals to amplify their voice, aid team communication, and align mission and strategy so their purpose can be fulfilled. She holds an MA in Creative and Media Enterprises from the University of Warwick and a BA in Theatre and Performance Studies from the same institution.
During her undergraduate degree, she worked with the Student Union and established Warwick A cappella Society, and then founded the UK's sole national Open A cappella Competition (The OAC) at Warwick Arts Center which won the award for Society Event of the Year. After her studies, this transformed into a start-up company and developed a thriving community that has grown to encompass over 300 groups with 130+ competitors and 350+ audience members.
With a passion for creativity, Shaquira continues to make a significant impact in both corporate and community spheres. You can find her producing a cappella and theatre shows, singing, or riding the waves on a surfboard.
Sue has been a Trustee and volunteer since 2013 and was Chair of The Poly Board for several years until April 2022.
Sue is passionate about ensuring The Poly achieves its shared vision as a place where everyone feels welcome to be entertained, engage with culture and be creative. Her roles as a trustee include leading on building and sustainability issues and supporting the work of the Finance and HR Committees.
With a background in social housing and community regeneration at a senior level, Sue's family business invests in commercial property that will make a genuine difference to town centres in Cornwall through property improvement, job creation and support for fledgling businesses. Sue is a qualified horticulturalist and garden designer, having studied at Rosewarne and Falmouth University. A Falmouth resident for 15 years, she now lives with her husband Bill in Penzance.
Tim was elected as a trustee in 2016 and currently serves on both the Board of Trustees and the HR committee.
With a life-long interest in the Arts, Tim is particularly interested in helping The Poly to reach new audiences with an innovative offer in improved premises and in engaging Poly members in shaping the future.
As a trustee Tim brings a range of experience and skills gained during a varied career in Further and Adult Education (teaching and management), self-employment as a Quality Improvement Consultant and as a Director of a small company, including strategies to engage the wider community, programming activities and events, working collaboratively using good interpersonal skills, recruiting, training and working with volunteers, staff recruitment and management and development and successful refurbishment of a listed building.
Tom has been a photographer and teacher in Cornwall since graduating from Falmouth College of Art in 2003. With 18 year's experience in education, he has delivered photography workshops in primary schools, worked as a classroom teacher in secondary school, and taught on BA and MA courses. His current position is Senior lecturer on BA(Hons) Press and Editorial Photography at Falmouth University.
He has particular interests in participatory photography, visualising networks in the environment and designing activities that help engage communities with local archives.
Tom is also part of the Environmental Futures research programme at Falmouth University and a member of Art.Earth in Dartington.