Meet The Team

Ian’s professional life has been in banking and finance, having worked for 25 years in the City of London at a “Big Four” accountancy firm and in investment banking.  Since moving to North Yorkshire he has been able to develop his lifelong interest in theatre as a performer, writer and director.

Katie has worked in a variety of arts administration, marketing and fundraising roles since establishing an open-air touring Shakespeare company at the start of her career. She also spent time as a local authority Arts Development Officer and served on the board of the National Rural Touring Forum. As a fundraiser, she enjoyed 4 years at Lichfield Festival and 2 years at Birmingham International Dance Festival. Katie moved to Ripon with her family 6 years ago.

Simon’s career as a senior civil servant included senior roles in HR, finance, project management and procurement.  Now retired, his many voluntary roles include being a Director of Ripon Together CIC and a trustee of the Ripon Chapels and Hospitals Charitable Trusts.  He is also stage manager of the Ripon pantomime society.  He has recent experience of events management, from planning and promotion to event logistics and risk assessments.

Tim is Clerk to the Trustees and is Managing Partner at TP Jones & Co LLP, a long-established accountancy firm in Harrogate. As well as being a member of Ripon Together and Clerk to the Ripon City Festival Trustees, he has many years of charity experience within the Rotary Club and for local Scouting groups, organising events and fundraising activities.

Tina has enjoyed a career in HR; managing teams and leading projects within the manufacturing, finance and retail sectors. She has also undertaken a number of volunteering and fundraising roles including School Governor, Chair of Friends of the School and for various charitable organisations, the main being Dementia Forward. She was awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2021.

After 14 years in sales and advertising, Julia relocated twice, eventually to North Yorkshire where she and her husband bought a small ready meal factory and reinvented themselves. Spending 20 years nursing the business back to life, Julia increased her skill set significantly to include some technical and HR responsibility whilst continuing to develop new business. Julia has also sung in Ripon Choral Society for 15 years, been a highly active PA committee member at several schools, and been a busy and successful fundraiser.