Team & Trustees
The Team
Frances Land
Co-Artistic Director
Speak to me about Black Country Touring productions and partnerships.
One of the key parts of my role is developing and sustaining the partnerships for our work, I also co direct our larger site-specific productions alongside Steve Johnstone.
After settling in the Black Country in the 1980s I worked for many years as an actor/musician, later working in a variety of different roles covering arts development, freelance project management, outreach work and working as Co Artistic Director with Foursight Theatre Copmpany based in Wolverhampton. Much of my work has looked to the Black Country for the many incredible stories from within the local communities. This has resulted in some of the work that I am probably most proud of.
Steve Johnstone
Co-Artistic Director
Speak to me about BCT’s productions, projects and partnerships across all of the company’s work.
Day to day, I look after the finances and support other members of the team with their delivery of our various projects. I also develop and direct the production work of the company, with Frances.
I’ve been working with BCT for over 20 years, as well as pursuing a freelance career in that time. Most of my work as a theatre director has been about creating work which grows from communities and yet expresses something of the experience of us all – we tell each other our stories to learn more about ourselves.
Matt Andrews
Development Director
Speak to me about the impact we have on Black Country communities, and how you can support our work.
I’m responsible for fundraising and developing our programme and projects to maximise their impact, profile and income. I also support the Co-Artistic Directors with the organisation’s strategy, business planning and partnerships.
I grew up in Walsall and I’ve worked in the arts for over 10 years. I’m passionate about more people in the region being able to experience the benefits the arts provide. Like many people working in the arts, I’ve taken on a variety of roles from marketing and communications to project management and producing my own projects. I’m also Co-Director of Ampersand Projects CIC, an arts and community organisation.
Corinne Morris
General Manager
Speak to me about anything to do with Black Country Touring.
I run the BCT office and support the BCT team with projects, productions and any office tomfoolery.
I have a great enjoyment of the arts and media, be it dance, film, theatre and music. BCT have showcased various artforms within a region that it not widely known for its appreciation of performing arts. I have mainly worked within education, healthcare and hospitality, so working with BCT was a lovely change that I was happy to take a leap towards.
Natalie Kidman
Promoter Manager
Speak to me about how to bring a professional theatre or dance show into your local venue, e.g. community centre, library or school.
I support all our promoters from ages 7 – 70+ throughout their journey of choosing and promoting an event, from choosing a show right through to greeting their audience on the night of their event.
I’ve been part of the lovely BCT team since 2006 as well as being a performer having travelled all over the globe. I have always enjoyed both being part of and seeing performances of many kinds, but the friendly atmosphere you get in a local venue coupled with a high quality show is hard to beat. I also get to work with many young people with our Young Promoters scheme. Seeing their excitement and self belief grow as they organise their own event is something I’ll never tire of seeing.
Sampira Al-Fihri
Creative Producer
Speak to me about BCT’s projects and productions.
I work with Frances and Steve to develop and deliver BCT’s creative projects and productions.
In my own independent practice, I am a producer, curator and writer in the horror genre.
Amrit Kaur Juss
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Speak to me about any marketing requests.
My job is to coordinate and manage BCT’s marketing, communications and digital projects. I take care of our website and social media, and find new ways to reach our audiences and raise the profile of BCT and our work.
I’m passionate about creativity, culture, community building and collective wellbeing, and so I’m thrilled to be working for an organisation with a mission and values that align so closely to my own.
Donna Clarkson
Community Programme Coordinator
Speak to me about our performance menu or about bringing professional theatre or dance to your community venue.
My role within BCT is to support promoters and venues to programme high quality theatre and dance into their spaces. I want community venues to explore what theatre and dance can offer and to also foster a sense of community and empathy through the medium of the arts.
I started my BCT journey as a work experience placement. I loved the work so much that I came back as an apprentice, and I am now a full-time member of the team. It's thanks to BCT that I've grown to have a real deep love for the arts and an even deeper love for how communities can use the arts to come together.
Laura Leech
Admin and Projects Assistant
Speak to me about applying for our performance menu or if you have any general questions about Black Country Touring.
My role is to take care of administration at Black Country Touring and managing the menu.
I previously worked as a stage manager so have a real passion for theatre and performance. I believe in the importance of making theatre and the arts accessible and relevant to audiences and really enjoy working with venues and companies to make this happen!
Sukhi Sohi
Community Cinema Coordinator
Speak to me about showing films in your community.
My job is to support people to show films in their community.
My employment background is in Volunteer Management and Community Development, and I have worked for various charities in the West Midlands. I have a keen interest in film, particularly foreign language films, documentaries, dramas and comedies. This role allows me to work with different community groups across the Black Country to increase access to cinema for local audiences by reducing any barriers they have.
Trustees
Tim Rushby
Chair
Black Country born and raised, Tim is the Head of Audience Development and Marketing for Lakeside Arts, the University of Nottingham’s public arts centre and programme. Tim joined the BCT Board in 2006 as the company’s then designated ‘young board member’ and has been Chair since October 2017. Having grown up in the region and benefited hugely from free music tuition provided by Sandwell Youth Music, Tim believes passionately in the transformative role the arts can have and takes great pride in being part of BCT’s team.
Imtiaz Dungarwalla
Vice-Chair
Born, raised, and still living in Birmingham, Imi has just started working for a Financial Technology Company as a Business Analyst. He previously worked for an Investment Bank where he heard about a company called Arts and Business, who connected him to BCT, via meeting Frances at a networking event. Frances’ pitch piqued his interest, especially the part about Young Promotors and Producers. He formally joined the Board in 2012. Imi loves the variety of programming that BCT has to offer and tries to go to plenty of events, ranging from those done in collaboration with our great partners to things like Community Cinema. Imi is also a Committee Member at his local Mosque and an avid fan of most sports, supporting Birmingham City (boo!).
Anna Webster
Anna is a Project Manager at Caldmore Community Garden in Walsall, one of BCT’s community promoters. Before starting her work at the Garden in 2017, she was the Chair of Caldmore Village Festival Ltd and worked as a Community Organiser for one of the Walsall housing associations. She has an MA in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Warsaw and has many years of experience in fundraising and managing community projects. She is interested in how community organisations can use creativity and arts as a method of engagement and celebrating diversity. She loves gardening, reading and going to music gigs.
Emma Worrall
Emma is Programme Coordinator at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. Prior to this, she was Events Coordinator at the Albany Theatre in Coventry. In 2021, she was awarded a Distinction in MA International Cultural Policy and Management at the University of Warwick. Emma is interested in the worlds of theatre programming, producing, management, community/volunteer engagement and audience development. She enjoys playwriting, going to the theatre and museums, and cooking new vegetarian recipes.
Michelle Bould
Michelle is Business Associate at Open Theatre in Coventry. Open Theatre use nonverbal physical theatre to collaborate with young people with learning disabilities, and work as advocates for their valued involvement as artists and leaders. Michelle likes creating policies, writing lots of words, talking and dancing!
Julie McKirdy
Julie’s 40 years working in a very busy branch library in Sandwell and her volunteering work within the local community has helped Julie to establish Thimblemill Library as the arts and cultural hub which it is today. She was awarded the prestigious BEM (British Empire Medal) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2015. In September 2016, she was declared Public Library Champion of the Year.
Akila McLean
Akila is an employee at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery; Birmingham Museums Trust. She also volunteers her time within the Development Team at Black Country Living Museum. She previously supported a community project About Town – Video art in Southside together with Birmingham Hippodrome, in partnership with Ikon. Her 18 years of experience working in diverse industries include: Hospitality, Travel, Events and Sport.
Carla Priddon
Carla is CEO of a national charity that helps adults learn to read. Carla has over 20 years’ experience in the charity sector, predominantly in senior fundraising and partnership roles, and has raised millions in her career for a variety of causes. She is a very proud Brummie, having lived across the region and is passionate about the work of BCT in communities. More generally, she has a passion for arts and culture, in particular literature and the theatre. She recently graduated in the top 10% of her MBA class at WBS and is always keen to mentor and support others where possible.
Rachael Magson
Rachael is a fundraiser and strategic leader with 19 years experience in the cultural sector. Most recently she raised over £12million for the Birmingham 2022 Festival & Bring the Power youth programme as part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, as well as acting as the strategic lead for the evaluation programme and legacy planning for Birmingham 2022 Festival. She has also held senior leadership roles as Head of Fundraising at Birmingham Hippodrome, Executive Director at Pentabus Theatre Company and Relationship Manager for Combined Arts & Touring at Arts Council England in the West Midlands during her career. Rachael lives in Smethwick and has worked across Birmingham and the West Midlands her whole career, and has always been a passionate advocate for Black Country Touring and their incredible community and cultural impact! Rachael is currently a Senior Programme Manager for Fundraising at the National Trust.
Rupinder Sandhu
Rupinder is an international multi award winning educator and female leader. She has been awarded a number of awards such as International BTEC Tutor of the Year, The Womens Award for Outstanding BAME Female Leader, and West Midlands Inspirational Female Leader. Rupinder is the Curriculum Manager for the creative industries department at Sandwell College for Visual Arts. She has extensive experience of supporting young people and adults with their education and preparing them for their future aspirations within the creative sector.