Meet the Team
Fay Lamb
Chief Executive & Artistic Director
“I live in Wigan and have worked in St Helens for 25 years. I lead Wonder Arts strategy and programme to support the amazing communities in our Wonder Towns.”
Danny Woods
Engagement Manager
“Born and raised in St Helens, I joined our youth theatre at 16 and as a former volunteer, I’m proud to help create the same life-changing opportunities that shaped me.”
Marie Rowlinson McGarry
Finance Manager
“I love being part of Wonder Arts. I make sure everything adds up behind the scenes so the team can focus on delivering brilliant work with young people and communities.”
Charles Woosnam
Youth Engagement Co-Ordinator
“Growing up in St Helens, I know how important creative spaces are. I’m passionate about helping young people feel seen, heard, and supported through the arts.”
Graeme Dixon - Chair
Graeme is a solicitor and partner at HF Solicitors in Manchester. He has over 25 years’ experience in property litigation, dealing with complex legal disputes between landlords and tenants and landowners.
Graeme has been actively involved with Wonder Arts and been a member of the Board of Trustees for over 10 years and was appointed Chairperson in 2025.
He grew up in Burnley, Lancashire and currently lives in Stockport, Greater Manchester.
He has been a season ticket holder at Burnley Football Club for many years and is a keen traveller having visited over 90 countries, including North Korea.
Board of Trustees
Jenn Camilleri - Deputy Chair
CEO of Horse + Bamboo, arts organisation & charity based in Waterfoot, Rossendale.
Jenn is passionate about brilliant theatre for children & young people, festivals and outdoor events.
Tanya McGibbon
Hello I'm Tanya, I've been on the board of Wonder Arts since 2025.
I have both a personal and professional interest in community arts, since graduating from university with a BA in Visual Arts & Culture, and being heavily involved in community engagement.
I currently work for a charity supporting D/ deaf people, I have a passion to ensure equality and inclusion for all and want to share my lived and professional experience to promote inclusivity.
Katrina Houghton
Katrina Houghton is Senior Policy Officer for Culture and Heritage at Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), supporting the development and delivery of cultural policy across the region. She brings experience of working across arts, culture and heritage, with a particular focus on audience development, partnerships, artist support and place-based cultural activity.
Throughout her career, Katrina has worked as a cultural producer and arts manager on diverse cultural programmes and with a wide range of organisations and partners across the sector in the UK and beyond. She is passionate about supporting artists and creative practitioners, developing partnerships, commissioning and delivering cultural activity that connects people, places and communities.
Emily Scrutton
Engagement Assistant
“I’m 20 and from Wigan. I love supporting young people through creative activities and being part of a team that helps them build confidence and express themselves.”
Isah-Levi Roach
A born and raised Mancunian, Isah-Levi Roach (He/Him) is an actor, writer, producer, director and facilitator/practitioner. He is co-founder and Executive Producer of Switch_MCR Theatre Company.
Isah has an extensive career working in theatre, starting at the Royal Exchange where he produced their Children and Young people engagement, including their Young Company.
Some other roles Isah has previously held include Race Equality Officer at LAMDA and MADE Administrator (Manchester Local Culture Education Partnership).
He currently works as the Artist Development Producer at Z-arts. Al of these jobs and experiences have all fed into Isah’s commitment to making equitable, conscious, accessible and representative theatre for anyone and everyone.
Alex De La Bastide
Alex is a freelance dance artist specialising in contemporary dance, partner-acrobatics and soft-acrobatics.
Originally from Cheshire, Alex trained at the Lowry Centre for Advanced Training Scheme before studying at Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance.
After graduating, Alex spent 4 years with Motionhouse as a company dancer touring nationally and internationally with indoor and outdoor shows. Now as a freelance dance artist, Alex works with multiple artists and creatives for events, films and live performances. As well as teaching and choregraphing for organisations, companies and universities.
Chad Taylor
At 19, Chad graduated from The Hammond School with a National Diploma in Dance, awarded through a full scholarship. He went on to perform professionally with high-profile artists including Cheryl Cole, Paloma Faith, Sade, Take That, Meat Loaf, Joe McElderry, Little Mix, and LMFAO. He has also collaborated with renowned choreographers such as Fatima Robinson and appeared on major stages including The X Factor final at The O2 Arena, the BRIT Awards, and the Royal Variety Performance.
Chad’s work has been presented in notable venues such as The Lowry, HOME Manchester, and The Riley Theatre. His innovative approach pushes creative boundaries, particularly within outdoor and non-traditional spaces. His choreography has featured in festivals including Black Gold Arts, London Ensemble Festival, Brighton Festival, Stockton International Riverside Festival, and the Black British Dance Platform.
Joe Gilmour
Joe Gilmour is a theatre director who creates seriously entertaining theatre - stories with something to say, told in engaging, inventive ways. He has previously created work with Contact Theatre, Royal Exchange, the Lowry and Leeds Playhouse.
While Youth Theatre Director at the Octagon Bolton, he commissioned new scripts, developed partnerships with LAMDA and RADA, and launched the actor training programme Young Octagon. He has worked as Associate Director for Told by an Idiot, and Resident Director on productions of Evita, A Chorus Line (Leicester Curve) and My Beautiful Laundrette (National Theatre/Curve).
He co-chairs the Wonder Arts Policy and Strategy Subcommittee.
Kate Bufton
I'm Kate Bufton, a freelance artist, book artist and creative facilitator based in Wigan, with over 15 years experience delivering creative workshops with children, young people and adults across the North West.
My practice centres around book sculpture, bookmaking and printmaking, often using old books, recycled paper and everyday materials to create something unexpected. I love exploring how simple creative processes can spark curiosity, build confidence and bring people together.
Alongside my freelance work, I work as an Art Technician in a high school, supporting young people to explore their creativity. I'm passionate about making art accessible to everyone and believe creativity can play a powerful role in supporting wellbeing, connection and a sense of belonging.
For me, it's about more than what we make; it's about the joy of creating, discovering new possibilities and inspiring others to see the world a little differently.
“It is truly wonderful to see how diverse the Wonder Arts Board of Trustees are and how much the organisation strives to have a Board with diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
The experiences and opportunities that Wonder Arts creates for communities is incredibly important and, in knowing that the Board of Trustees is comprised of a variety of lived experiences, it only goes to show how strong the connection is with their communities.
Growing up as a striving performer from a low-socioeconomic background in the North-West, I have no doubt that my younger self would feel seen and supported knowing that organisations like Wonder Arts have members of their team that hold experiences similar to her.” - Wonder Arts Trustee
Young Volunteers
Owen
[Tagline placeholder]
[Short bio placeholder]
Niamh
[Tagline placeholder]
[Short bio placeholder]
Thomas
[Tagline placeholder]
[Short bio placeholder]
Jim
[Tagline placeholder]
[Short bio placeholder]
Seth
[Tagline placeholder]
[Short bio placeholder]
Rhys
[Tagline placeholder]
[Short bio placeholder]
Eli
[Tagline placeholder]
[Short bio placeholder]
Felicity
[Tagline placeholder]
[Short bio placeholder]