About The Guildhall Trust
About the Guildhall Trust and what we do
ABOUT THE GUILDHALL TRUST
The Guildhall Trust is a leading cultural management which takes an innovative approach to diversifying and evolving cultural assets to ensure growth, sustainability and social impact.
The Guildhall Trust is a leading cultural management which takes an innovative approach to diversifying and evolving cultural assets to ensure growth, sustainability and social impact.
Specialising in community impact, venue and event management, conferencing and building a family of support, with our wealth of experience, knowledge and proven success, The Guildhall Trust offers pragmatic and creative advice and solutions to a range of organisations including local authorities, venues, cultural organisations and event organisers.
It is the mission of The Guildhall Trust to deliver inspirational opportunities that entertain, inspire and transform lives, placing communities at the centre of everything we do. Through our interactive community led programmes, we connect with people from all backgrounds to develop a passion for music and the arts and improve their mental health and wellbeing.
More than just venues, The Guildhall Trust creates community hubs that are cultural and business destinations.
The sole operator of Portsmouth Guildhall since 2011, The Guildhall Trust has increased footfall through the venue by 120,000 people and income by over £1million per annum through our expertise in programming, conferencing and catering. The Guildhall Trust added The White Rock, Hastings to its portfolio from 1st February 2024.
An event producer, The Guildhall Trust presents a range of events that connects with our communities and diversifies audiences including Comic Con, Games Fest, Takedown Festival and our Dance Live! competition for schools and colleges which takes place in venues across the country.
The Guildhall Trust: Engage your Community, Diversify your Venue, Sustain your Finances.
Our Team
With over 30 years Venue Management experience, a wealth of knowledge and experience
from a rich variety of backgrounds, our team are at the core of our success!
Andy Grays
Chief Executive OfficerWith his whole career in Arts Management, Andy has worked with Apollo Leisure Group, Stoll Moss Theatres and Luton Cultural Trust and has opened and developed a number of unique venues including The Hat Factory, Luton.
Rachel Maryan
Chief Operating OfficerRachel has extensive experience in the Food & Beverage industry, Hotels and General Management of venues.
Mel Barnfather
Head of FinanceMel joined the Trust in May 2026, bringing over 25 years of experience in finance across a wide range of sectors. This includes 13 years dedicated to the charitable sector, where Mel has developed a deep understanding of the financial and operational challenges facing not-for-profit organisations. Mel is passionate about working within the charitable sector and is committed to supporting organisations in achieving their long-term goals. With a strong focus on continuous improvement, Mel specialises in developing and implementing streamlined financial processes that enhance efficiency, strengthen governance, and support sustainable growth.
Nadine Passley
Venue Director, White RockNadine is a theatre manager and aspiring playwright from Hastings. Her academic training has focused on theatre, studying a degree in European Theatre at Rose Bruford College, and a Master’s in Advanced Theatre Practice at Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. She spent six years cutting her teeth at the Piccadilly Theatre in Soho and joined the management team at the White Rock in 2019.
Kelly Haswell
Head of MarketingKelly has over 18 years of experience of marketing within the Tourism & Leisure industry having worked for a range of cultural organisations.
Victoria Campbell‑Phillips
Head of Commercial SalesAfter graduating with an Events Management degree from Manchester Met, Victoria’s career has seen her based primarily in unique venues, from nightclubs to luxury sea fort hotels and now the Portsmouth Guildhall. Victoria has led the Conference & Events Sales team since 2017, ensuring clients receive exceptional service, whilst developing the commercial success of the venue with her broad experience.
Nick Coles
Head of Technical & Support ServicesWith a vast knowledge of Stage Production and Event Management, Nick manages the Trust’s public event programme, Dance Live! school’s event and Equipment Hire Service.
Craig Paterson
Head of Technical & ProductionCraig has significant experience within the entertainment and event industry, Alongside working freelance, he has worked on large-scale Music festivals, Concerts, theatre and high-end conferences for numerous international promoters, event organisers and businesses throughout his career.
Our Board of Trustees
The Guildhall Trust, registered charity number 1153358, is managed by a Board of Trustees as an independent body responsible for the overall strategy of the Trust, our vision and future direction.
Mark Turner
Chairman of the BoardMark Turner joined the Board in October 2018 before becoming Chairman in 2020. He spent the last 20 years of his career as Global Head of Strategic Planning and then as Global Head of Structured Finance for one of the world’s largest corporates. He was recruited to the Board to bring that experience to bear in helping to move the financial side of Guildhall Renaissance forward. Mark’s interests include theatre and sailing.
Declan Murphy
Board MemberDeclan has been an active Board member of a number of local Hampshire organisations over the past 8 years, including as Chair of Trustees of Home-Start Butser, a Trustee of Home-Start Hampshire and a Trustee of the Spring Arts and Heritage Centre in Havant. Declan was a Senior Human Resources Consultant with IBM for over 30 years, working in the UK and across Europe, before setting up his own HR consultancy some 8 years ago specialising in employee benefits, acquisitions and HR Project Management.
Sam Cox
Board MemberSam is currently the Chair of Portsmouth Ambassadors and works actively to support the Shaping Portsmouth Programme. She is currently a serving Headteacher and has worked extensively in both secondary and primary school settings, teaching and leading school improvement projects. She graduated with a degree in Humanities from the University of Greenwich and then went on to Kings College London to pursue her career in teaching. Sam was awarded the honour of being named as Portsmouth Poet Laureate.
Peter Gunn
Board MemberPeter was BH Live’s founding Chief Executive and led the organisation through a period of significant growth and business expansion. Prior to this, he was Managing Director of the Bournemouth International Centre and Pavilion Theatre. He moved to this role having spent 10 years as General Manager of the nationally recognised Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex. Previous roles also include Chair of Community Leisure UK and Vice President of the AIPC, which promotes excellence in conference and event management.
Pam Hamilton
Board MemberPam is a teamwork expert and author of business books Supercharged Teams and The Workshop Book. As a Trustee at The Guildhall, Pam brings 20 years experience of helping people work better together for positive change in global corporates and local organisations via Project Bridge collaboration workshops. Pam is also MD of agency Paraffin, winner of The Queen's Award for Enterprise 2021, TJ Silver Awards Winner, and an accredited member of WEConnect Women Owned Businesses.
Alison Lee
Board MemberAlison is Managing Director of Law Firm, Biscoes, which has been part of Portsmouth's business community since 1854. She has been a solicitor for 28years, 20 of those as a care lawyer in the city, working with some of the most disadvantaged in Portsmouth, making her even more determined to see aspirations raised through good education and community support. Alison also serves as a Director and Company Secretary of Shaping Portsmouth CIC, is a Trustee of Pompey in the Community, a Director at LawNetUK and mentors for the girls network.
Julia Walter
Board MemberJulia’s skills are in large scale creative digital delivery of live performance, and theatrical General and Project Management. She started at Yes/No Productions, home to international show, STOMP and after a break and postgraduate degree in Law, she joined RSC for the UK tour of Matilda the Musical, followed by the Audience of the Future project, a large-scale complex arts and research partnership led by RSC. She is now Creative Digital Producer at Chichester Festival Theatre.
Ming Wu
Board MemberMing is an Innovation Design Engineer and Industrial Designer, leading the development of The Makers Guild - multi-industry design studios that have been positively disrupting Portsmouth's creative industries since 2016. Bringing 12 years of product development experience, a wealth of knowledge in multiple craft and design industries, with a degree in Product Design and Interaction from the University for the Creative Arts, MRes Technology and an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Portsmouth. Also a Trustee of Ports Fest.
Chris Marston
Board MemberAfter a career in banking and the legal sector, Chris returned to his home city of Portsmouth in 2025 and is enjoying doing what he can to support local causes and initiatives. Chris is a member of the advisory committee of the Leadership & Management Section at the Law Society and is chair of Trustees at Pompey in the Community. Chris enjoys the arts, running and is currently learning to adjust to walking football.
Simon Brookes
Board MemberSimon Brookes joined the Board in 2025. He is Associate Dean (Students) in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries at the University of Portsmouth, where he leads on student experience, employability and curriculum development across the creative disciplines. He brings extensive experience in higher education leadership and creative industries education, with a particular interest in how emerging technologies are reshaping learning and creative practice.
Stephen Cripps
Board MemberA prominent Portsmouth-based executive and community leader who serves as Managing Director of PMC Construction & Development Services Ltd and Chairman of Baffins Milton Rovers Football Club. Deeply rooted in the Portsmouth area, Stephen has spent decades blending commercial business success with a passion for ensuring a continuous catalyst for economic regeneration. His dual leadership roles allow him to drive regional infrastructure growth while fostering long-term development, youth empowerment and opportunities for the city.
The Guildhall Trust: Engage your Community, Diversify your Venue, Sustain your Finances.
Our Clients
Some of the clients we’ve
worked with in the past
