Who We Are

We’re a social enterprise with a small core team and rotating field of specialist associates. We’re experts in using culture to make positive change, enabling people and places to flourish.

  • Wootton Fitzpaine to Charmouth boundary by Greta Berlin. Image by Pete Millson.

  • Chettle Wassail. Image by Jayne Jackson.

  • Museum of East Dorset. Image by Jayne Jackson.

  • Guggleton Farm Arts. Image by Jayne Jackson.

  • Guggleton Farm Arts. Image by Jayne Jackson..

  • Ancient Technology Centre. Image by Jayne Jackson.

We’re responsible for Dorset’s Cultural Strategy, which unites and harnesses the sector in shared ambitions. We have an excellent track record in the strategic development of culture, working collaboratively across the sector and with health, tourism and placemaking.

We formed in 2015 as a spin-out from Dorset County Council. We’re both proudly committed to Dorset and driven to find new ways of operating.

Based in the heart of Dorset, we operate from The Little Keep, a 150-year-old barracks that we now run as a creative workspace for artists, producers, and social enterprises.

We’re always keen to hear from new friends. If there’s something you’d like to work with us, or tell us about something you’re doing, please drop us a line on hello@theartsdevelopmentcompany.org.uk. We look forward to hearing from you

Image: Landance by Jayne Jackson.

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Meet the Team

  • Gemma is a theatre maker and community artist, specialising in arts and wellbeing practice. She has co-founded two arts and health organisations, been artistic director to a theatre company, led artistic engagement programmes for charities to theatres, transformed a garage into a black box studio, led socially engaged festivals, programmed for an arts centre, taught higher and further education, and regularly uses her wide range of skills as a freelance producer.

    Gemma is based in Bournemouth, she regularly works as a producer with Diverse City, is a co-director of CoCreate, an arts and wellbeing CIC, and writes and performs her own work.

  • Lucy is an Illustrator and Printmaker who has a wide variety of previous career experience. She has worked as a Gift Designer for Lush Cosmetics and as an Arts and Heritage Duty Manager at Lakeside Arts in Nottingham.

    Lucy has a BA in Illustration from Norwich University of the Arts and an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from Anglia Ruskin University.

    Lucy loves going to see live music and art exhibitions. She also loves to spend time in nature walking or swimming in the sea.

    Lucy believes in the power of art and culture to enrich community and improve wellbeing and is passionate about making it accessible for everyone. She is excited to use her skills to contribute to the work of the Arts Development Company.

  • Sophie has a diverse professional background, having worked across various sectors including the arts, photographic production, mental health, and community engagement.

    Sophie studied Fine Art at Chelsea College of Art and Design, after which she ventured into photographic production. During this time, Sophie organised photoshoots both on location and in studios across Europe, collaborating with renowned photographers such as Tom Craig and Emma Summerton. 

    Eight years ago, Sophie relocated to Dorset, where she initially worked in mental health services before transitioning to a role in community engagement at Dorset Council. Over the past five years, she has dedicated herself to working with communities across Dorset to reduce waste and enhance water quality along the Dorset coastline. As the leader of the ‘Litter Free Dorset’ campaign, Sophie has introduced numerous initiatives aimed at changing behaviour and influencing policy. 

    In addition to her professional achievements, Sophie completed her yoga teacher training in 2020. She is passionate about engaging with people to find creative ways to spark conversations about the issues that matter most to the communities in Dorset.

  • After long careers in financial services, my wife and I moved back to my home county of Dorset, which we love.  We decided to swap corporate life and long commutes for work with community-focused organisations, such as the wonderful Arts Development Company. 

    In 2024, we set up our partnership, The Wren Room, and now provide business support to local cultural organisations that share our ambition to help our local communities thrive.

The Board

  • Penny joins the ADC board from more than three decades in Creative Health, public engagement, project & programme development, design and commissioning public art, training artists workshops and community links.

    Penny’s roles have included strategic Creative Health role across the SW with the National Centre for Creative Health, setting up/ developing creative health projects and services in acute and mental health NHS Trusts, community, justice and charitable sector organisations. 

    Penny’s key skills and passions are design thinking, nurturing creative skills in others and developing collaborative best practice and programmes to enhance people’s experience of health and well-being.

    Penny’s training includes: MBA Senior Leadership, Arts Therapy Foundation; BA Hons Three-dimensional design; Arts, disability and employment; Prince2 project management and a PGCE in the lifelong learning sector.

    Connecting people to their creative streak, championing creativity in schools, making creative activity in healthcare 'normal' and supporting skills development in Creative Health for creative and health professionals are Penny's driving passions.

    When Penny’s not at work she’s using design, art and DIY, singing, paddleboarding or walking the dog at the beach whenever she can.

  • Currently residing in Bournemouth, Ebi Sosseh brings a vast amount of knowledge in community development, engagement, equality diversity and inclusion as well as Project Management.

    Ebi is well familiar with the wider Dorset area due to previous work in mapping the needs of diverse communities, being a co-founder of the Southwest Dorset Multicultural Centre and a mentor for young people living in rural settings. He is a musician with afro-ethnic fusion bands as a music composer and keyboardist within the BCP area. Ebi is also passionate about linking organisations and individuals together to make change possible as well as Woden participation to marginalised groups. Ebi has three daughters and his happily married to his partner and Liverpool FC.

  • Anya Pearson is a designer, educator, and strategist with over three decades of experience in the fashion industry and wider creative sectors. Her work spans hands-on production, business startups, and the development of forward-thinking academic programmes. Currently a lecturer in Fashion at university level, Anya plays a key role in shaping curriculum within the School of Arts, Media, and Creative Industries Management, with a focus on ethics, sustainability, and inclusive practice.

    Alongside her fashion expertise, Anya is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of the arts, particularly in Dorset, where she supports creative initiatives that celebrate local talent, nurture emerging voices, and foster community through culture. Her work is grounded in collaboration, critical thinking, and a fierce belief in the transformative power of the arts to drive both personal and societal change.

    As an intersectional feminist and community organiser, Anya has led projects that challenge inequality and promote access to the arts for all. She brings clarity, energy, and a deep sense of purpose to everything she does.

  • Seth is currently head of School of Creative Industries at Weymouth College and the professional Theatre programmer at the Bay Theatre.

    Following 3 summer seasons at the National Youth Theatre and a degree in Creative Arts, Seth moved into a career in television drama. Whilst working at a children’s summer camp, Seth discovered that teaching was his real vocation.

    Seth lives in Purbeck. In his spare time he can usually be found outdoors, and in or on the sea as often as possible.

  • Chris’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to heritage, culture, and public engagement. After ten years as an RAF engineer, he transitioned into the heritage railway sector, where he applied his technical expertise to preserving and operating historic transport. 

    Over time, he developed strong leadership skills in managing visitor-focused, volunteer-supported attractions.

     His most recent role in this sector was as CEO of a heritage railway recognised as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, highlighting its national cultural significance. During this time, Chris also moved into estate and project management within adult education, deepening his understanding of organisational change and strategic development.

     In 2024, he joined The Tank Museum as Director, proud to lead a passionate team and further strengthen one of the UK’s most successful cultural institutions. 

    Chris lives in Swanage with his wife Alison, a Dorset native and nurse. He enjoys motorcycling, following his football team, and visiting his two adult children in Bristol.

  • Lou has over 20 years experience working across Dorset on community engagement and inclusion projects. She is the Manager of Healthwatch Dorset  and brings her skills and expertise in strategic leadership and relationship building as well as a wide network in health and care. She enjoys finding creative ways to empower people who don't have the strongest voice.

    In her early career Lou was a graphic designer and she loves good design and visual communications. Lou is passionate about creative health and has seen the impact that accessible arts and cultural programming can have on communities. Lou lives in Bournemouth and she enjoys travelling,  the theatre, live music and sea swimming.

  • Hazel has enjoyed an extensive career in the classical music industry as a violinist, artists’ manager, strategist, leader and mentor.

    She has worked with many of the country’s leading orchestras, opera and dance companies, spending a large part of her career at the Royal Ballet and Opera in Covent Garden, first as Director of the Orchestra and then Director of Planning. 

    Now based in Dorset, Hazel is manager of the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation, Chair of Opera Up Close and a governor of the Royal Northern College of Music. She mentors a number of musicians and cultural leaders and is a regular contributor to industry research projects.

    Hazel is an alumna of the Royal College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Cranfield School of Management and is a member of Women on Boards.