For founder-led creative businesses

Business Mentors

Remi Harris MBE
Phyllis Belezos
Sammi Alani
Nathalia Harrison
Annegret Affolderbach
Vanessa Rawlings-Jackson
Diane Wagg
Andrew Evans
Emma Clarke
Jane Rice-Bowen
Laura Mulhern
Louise Emerson
Sabina Strachan
Stephen Hignell
Stuart Balmer
John Anderson

More about Remi Harris MBE

An experienced business leader and coach, Remi is co-founder of the Music Leaders Network, the leadership development programme for women in music. Previously, Remi was general manager of AIM, director of operations at UK Music, and chair of the Alliance for Diversity in Music and Media. She was awarded an MBE for services to the Music Industry in 2016 and was inducted to the Music Week Women in Music Roll of Honour in 2019.

More about Phyllis Belezos

Phyllis is an internationally respected live music agent with 20+ years’ experience across the global music industry. Formerly at ITB and William Morris Agency, she has worked with artists including Whitney Houston, Björk, Massive Attack and Sufjan Stevens, and now leads artist development and representation through Heliocentric.

More about Sammi Alani

Sammi Alani is Co-Founder and VP North America at Pirate Studios, where he played a central role in scaling the business globally before launching and running the US operation from the ground up. He has spent a decade building and operating physical creative spaces across the UK, Europe, and the US.

More about Nathalia Harrison

Nat is an ICF accredited business coach, trainer and facilitator with PCC certification and specialist ADHD coaching expertise. She supports creative entrepreneurs to clarify their vision, build confidence and develop resilient businesses. A co-founder of the creative business network Hive Collective, she champions hyper-local collaboration and community among creatives in North-East London.

More about Annegret Affolderbach

Annegret is an ecological artist and visioning coach creating sensory artworks and strategies rooted in culture and landscape. Her work addresses sustainability, water and over-consumption. With a background in sustainable fashion, she guides creatives and changemakers to build visionary, regenerative futures.

More about Vanessa Rawlings-Jackson

Vanessa is a cultural consultant and Director of Cultivate with extensive experience in theatre leadership and Arts Council England. She specialises in governance, business planning, fundraising and audience development, and has supported cultural organisations across the UK and internationally through consultancy, training and strategic programmes.

More about Diane Wagg

Diane is an artist, creative manager, and consultant supporting talent across the arts, music, film, and entertainment. With a background in A&R, production and management, she has guided global artists and secured major partnerships, offering one-to-one consultancy rooted in coaching for creatives, entrepreneurs and industry professionals.

More about Andrew Evans

Andrew is an experienced organisational change leader specialising in strategy, business development and fundraising in the charity and social enterprise sector. He offers coaching, mentoring and business advice, bringing energy to help organisations grow, build resilience and achieve their vision, with expertise in finance, governance, digital and communications.

More about Emma Clarke

Emma is a business growth coach specialising in tourism, cultural and heritage sectors. With 20+ years’ experience, she helps organisations unlock growth through assets, new products and funding. She supports businesses with marketing and planning and has secured funding from bodies including Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

More about Jane Rice-Bowen

Jane is a Yorkshire-based arts management consultant specialising in strategy, fundraising and governance. Formerly Chief Executive of National Centre for Circus Arts and Joint Principal of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama, she champions creativity and access to the arts. She is also a trustee and former Chair of Eureka.

More about Laura Mulhern

Laura is a marketing and business development specialist and founder of STØRIIE, delivering branding, audience engagement and content strategy across the UK. She also founded Plan Make Do®, supporting creative start-ups and SMEs through mentoring, workshops and business development programmes.

More about Louise Emerson

Louise is a strategist and coach specialising in growth, change and sustainable business planning. With 25+ years’ leadership experience, including roles at the Natural History Museum and Cheltenham Festivals, she helps organisations increase income, build teams and partnerships, and develop strong brands across sectors.

More about Sabina Strachan

Sabina is a consultant and trainer with 25 years’ experience in cultural, creative and heritage sectors. She founded how2glu to support collaboration and organisational development using design thinking. She has led major cultural strategy and evaluation projects and held senior roles in academia and heritage organisations.

More about Stephen Hignell

Stephen is a creative industries strategist and cultural policy consultant with nearly 20 years’ experience supporting artists, leaders and policymakers. As a Director at Nordicity, he advises governments and cultural organisations globally on inclusive creative economies and enterprise development. He works across policy, systems thinking and community-led cultural strategy.

More about Stuart Balmer

Stuart is a creative business advisor with a background in interior and 3D design and over 25 years’ experience in fashion entrepreneurship. Formerly co-founder of an international womenswear label, he now provides consultancy, mentoring and training to creative businesses, supporting sustainable growth, strategy and development.

More about John Anderson

John is an experienced senior manager and consultant with a strong track record across public, private and voluntary sectors. He supports organisations with business planning, governance and fundraising, and has led major programmes and heritage projects, bringing expertise in team leadership, regeneration and organisational
development.

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