Poet, playwright, broadcaster and memoirist Lemn Sissay and acclaimed broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake join the Board alongside Global Director of Sales at White Cube Leila Alexander, Factory Assembly and People’s Forum member Candice Hull, entrepreneur and business consultant Thom Hetherington, performer and creative facilitator Josh Wilkinson (in one of two designated slots for young people), and Global advertising, media and communications executive John Dunleavy.
Lemn Sissay says: “I am honoured to be appointed as a trustee of Factory International, an organisation that embodies Manchester’s pioneering spirit. From Manchester International Festival to Aviva Studios and Factory Academy, their commitment to bold, boundary-pushing creativity is inspiring. I look forward to supporting their vision in shaping the future of the arts.”
Nihal Arthanayake says “Every time I walk into Aviva Studios, I am blown away by the scale, adaptability and ambition of the place, so I jumped at the chance to contribute my time and energy to a place I truly regard to be one of the world’s most important spaces for creativity to flourish. You only have to take a glance at the upcoming events schedule to see a programme rich with cultural insights, intellectual curiosity and mountains of joy. Collaboration, a diversity of partners, and a commitment to the many different communities that exist in and around Manchester drew me in, and now as a Trustee I very much hope that I can help in some small way to aid in helping Factory International develop even further.”
Moira Sinclair, Chair of the Factory International Board of Trustees, said: “Our arts and cultural organisations are reliant on the contribution of their trustees, who bring talent, expertise, and insight to support these important community assets. I am grateful to our outgoing friends, who have reached their end of the term, and delighted to welcome such a fine new cohort. That we can attract candidates of such high calibre says much about where Factory International is right now, with Aviva Studios a thriving addition to the city and Manchester International Festival 2025 ready to wow in July.”
Candice Hull says: “I am honoured to be appointed to the Board of Trustees representing the People’s Forum. I’ve been fortunate in being part of projects like The Welcome, which embraced multiple diverse communities, in both welcoming them into Aviva Studios and in presenting their works – and I’ve seen the sparks of joy in faces and the connection that it brings! I’m excited to get started, meet the rest of the trustees, and contribute to the ongoing success and growth of Factory International.
Factory International commissions, produces and presents a year-round programme of original creative work and special events at Aviva Studios, online, and internationally through its network of co-commissioners and partners. It also stages the city-wide Manchester International Festival (MIF) every other year. Through the Factory Academy, Factory International is training the creative workforce of the future, while its pioneering creative engagement and artist development programmes create year-round opportunities for local people to get involved, from participating in flagship commissions to shaping the organisation through involvement in its public forums.
Named one of TIME magazine’s 100 best places in the world, Aviva Studios has fast become a cornerstone of Manchester’s cultural scene since opening in October 2023. As part of its mission to make the arts accessible to everyone, over 26,000 people have accessed Aviva £10 tickets as part of its affordable ticket strategy. Nestled in Manchester’s St. John’s neighbourhood, the venue is a hub where innovation, creativity, and community converge.
Last month Factory International announced the 2025 edition of Manchester International Festival (MIF) which takes place across the city from Thursday, 3 July to Sunday, 20 July 2025. Working with partners across the city and the world to build on the MIF legacy, the wide- ranging, multi-artform programme of groundbreaking world premieres will inspire fresh perspectives, challenge conventional thought and invite audiences to ‘dream differently’ - envision new possibilities, brighter futures and utopian spaces.
The seven new members join a Board that includes:
- Moira Sinclair OBE (Chair) Former Chief Executive of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation
- Faz Barber Architect at Stufish Entertainment Architects
- Pat Bartoli Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure, Manchester City Council
- Richard Bell Global Leader Turnaround and Restructuring, Deloitte
- Alan Bishop CEO at Creative Industries Federation and Former CEO, Southbank
- Lamia Dabboussy Director of Engagement at Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and an Arts & Media Consultant
- Laura Jordan-Bambach Founder at WeAreOKO and Co-Founder at SHESAYS
- Jamil Khalil CEO and Founder, Wakelet
- Shaminder Nahal Head of Specialist Factual at Channel 4
- Cllr Garry Bridges Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council
- Ngozi (Goz) Ugochukwu Artist and Journalist
- Sharon Watson CEO and Principal at Northern School of Contemporary Dance
- Jo Whitfield CBE Former Chief Executive Officer at Matalan
- Cathryn Wright Managing Director of Sedulo
- Richard Brown Senior Relationship Manager, Arts Council England (Observer)
Outgoing trustees in this cycle are Gary Neville, Grace Ladoja, Ibrahim Mahama and Maria Balshaw.