THE STAF TEAM
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THE STAF TEAM →
Something To Aim For operates with a small core team across its full programme of activity, supporting artists, organisations, unincorporated groups and projects of varying size.
STAF also collaborates with a growing number of national and international partners, and engages several associated freelancers to support its activity on a project-by-project basis.
Creative Director & CEO / Consultant
TRACY GENTLES
Hi there, it’s TG here. I have 18+ years experience working within the creative industries, developing a practice that explores the performing arts interface with academia, health, social justice, and more recently, technology.
I am the founding Creative Director / CEO of STAF which was set up as a charity to build on the work of previously led organisations; our continuing arts, health an social change programme The Sick of the Fringe and arts development and producing organisation, In Company Collective.
As a working class, woman of colour, who grew up in East Manchester, matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion can be found at the heart of all my work, driven by my lived experience.
I have a long history of supporting artists and artist led-organisations, championing critical voices from the fringes of the arts, and society in general, to infiltrate into mainstream conversations, increase impact, deepen engagement, and create entry points for the audiences and participants of today, and those of the future.
Whilst also developing creative frameworks which prioritise bringing diverse audiences and ideas together, building critical mass to support innovation and change.
Outside of those I have previously supported through STAF, I have also held roles at Dance Umbrella, Clod Ensemble, Sadler’s Wells and the University of Salford. Whilst I am proud to sit on the Board of Trustees at Raze Collective, and be an Artist Fellow at Queen Mary’s University of London.
Executive Director / Consultant
JANET TAM
Hello/你好 (pronounced nei5 hou2)! I’m Janet. I have over 20 years of experience in the creative industry as an administrator and maintained my own theatre practice in scripted theatre and Playback Theatre.
My areas of expertise are in non-profit management and governance, crisis management, strategic planning, inclusive cultural programming and practice, stakeholder engagement as well as fundraising. I particularly enjoy building platforms and infrastructures to facilitate better access and more diversity in the arts.
Prior to joining STAF, my professional life was mostly at the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong (ADAHK) since 1999, and I served as ADAHK’s Executive Director from 2007-2015 and 2020-2021. Amidst various challenges and crises, I was fortunate enough to have been a part of the work that gave rise to its growth and the creation of pioneering programmes, catalysing changes among persons/artists with disabilities and even paradigm shifts in society, such as the establishment of the Jockey Club Arts Accessibility Service Centre in Hong Kong.
I have worked with disability / community arts organisations and exchanged with artists and facilitators from different countries such as the VSA network, Arts & Disability Ireland, Centre for Playback Theatre, Quest Visual Theatre, DADAA, Centre for Community Cultural Development.
Being a migrant in the UK, of a working-class background, and a cancer survivor have informed my working practice and belief that sickness and disability is a universal experience and expression of the human condition.
Head of Programmes / Consultant
GINI SIMPSON
Hello! I have over 25 years experience of working in the arts and its interfaces with health, social justice and learning. I am known for working with innovative ideas, in new spaces and translating novel thinking into action, I engage with emergent phenomena and trends and consider the arts to be a research engine for society in general.
Key areas of expertise include income generation, diversifying income streams, enterprise, cross sector working, public engagement, governance, authentic participation and people management. I have set up large scale programmes linking different communities and networks, facilitating effective knowledge exchange and authentic co-creation, which can genuinely engage diverse people to contribute to solutions to big issues.
I have worked across the creative industries in both institutions, small arts organisations and commercially in advertising and interactive TV. Previous key roles have included Head of Media Arts (SPACE), Senior Business Development Manager (Queen Mary University of London) and Head of Learning and Participation (Barbican). I am Chair of Furtherfield, ACE NPO Before this I was a social worker in Brixton, which continues to influence my work. I am the Artistic Director at Hear Me Out, a charity which sets up music programmes in immigration detention centres and shares music made there with the world. Consultancy clients have included IBM, Guildhall School, Hackney Community College, Daily Life Limited, Project Phakama and TATE Exchange.
I am a single parent, lone breadwinner who has lived with mental health issues all of my life. This informs my working practice and makes me better at my job.
Executive Consultant / Beyond Survival
SIMON HOLDER
Hi, I’m Simon. I’m the Executive Consultant for Beyond Survival.
I am an award winning, highly strategic creative thinker, who has spent over 25 years as a director of a number of household name brands including Sainsbury’s Homebase, Wickes and Jessops. I have also worked with some of the most influential underground arts movements in the late 90’s.
A highly customer focused, and strategic senior Marketing and Digital Executive, I am experienced in developing and optimizing multi-channel retail brands across consumer electronics, fashion, home improvement and B2B. I have a hands-on style and a proven record in brand development, integrated cross channel campaign management, strategic planning, project management and people development. I am an experienced E-Commerce and Direct Channels General Manager with a track record of developing new businesses from start up to maturity, covering brand, communications, customer experience, marketing, digital, commercial, distribution, store ops, IT and customer service
My key skills are: General Management of complex multi-function, multi-location business units; Financial management including P&L ownership, forecasting, reporting and cash management; Leadership, team development, employee engagement and motivation, Innovation and transformation across multi location businesses; Managing internal and external relationships with agencies and stakeholders; Strategic planning, brand development, business development and organisational restructuring; Major project management – from original concept through to successful completion; Business acumen and profitability improvement. I am channel agnostic and as adept at working ATL, digital or in real life.
I have also been a Ranger in Africa, raised £150,000 climbing Kilimanjaro for Lymphoma Research and made a documentary about Civil Rights activist Peter Shaughnessy, produced for Mad Pride and shown at Odeon Cinemas and Human Rights Festivals.
STAF’s regular collaborators include:
Engagement Producer
MYRA STUART
Fundraiser
