Meet The Board

We have recently welcomed a new board of hugely talented Non-Executive Directors to the Future Yard team, with a wide range of skills and experiences. The board’s role is to provide oversight and guidance to the organisation as we continue to grow, with a strong hand in shaping our strategic direction.

All of our Board members have a lived experience of Birkenhead, making them keenly aware of the challenges that our community face. Each member either lives or works in Birkenhead, or has done in the past; and they all share our desire to improve the lives of people in the area through a meaningful programme of work.

We are delighted to welcome them all to the FY Family, and we’re looking forward to working with them to expand on the great work we have done up to this point. Please meet the board…

JOHN WHALING

Chair

John Whaling is a collaborative place leader with 30 years’ experience of ‘making things happen’ and award-winning economic development, starting at the European Commission in Brussels and including delivery of the landmark Dream sculpture by Jaume Plensa in St. Helens, commissioned by ex-miners as part of Channel 4’s Big Art Project.

Currently the Lead Officer for Innovation and Commercialisation at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, John has led all aspects of the LCR’s UK-leading place-based innovation agenda over the last 10 years, driving transformational growth.

“As a lifelong music lover and Oxton resident, my mission is to help enhance and accelerate Future Yard’s forward development as both an agent of local change and a national exemplar.”

RICHARD NUTTER

Vice-Chair

Richard’s working life has been spent on Merseyside, mainly in the fields of social and economic regeneration, and he has have worked for both local and national Government implementing a range of regeneration schemes in the North West. More recently he became involved in the arts – firstly as Director of the Liverpool Arts Regeneration Consortium and then as Executive Director of DaDaFest

“A dedicated supporter of all forms of live music, I try to get to as many concerts and festivals as I can across all genres of music, from WOMAD through Download to Fortress. I walk quite a lot and am also a spectacularly inconsistent golfer.

“I joined the Board at Future Yard because I believe the arts can be a creative platform to highlight inequalities, challenge negative perceptions, and promote socially just alternatives. Future Yard is an opportunity to bring about positive, lasting social change; and I wanted to be part of that journey.”

JAYNE CLOUGH

Dr Jayne Clough is a Lecturer and Wellbeing Academic at University of Liverpool whose career to date has been focused upon academia and local government, with specific experience in education, evaluation, project management and governance.

“I am proud to have grown up and live in Birkenhead. I enjoy working with people, and believe that culture and the arts are a key driver for social change and community cohesion. I value the contribution Future Yard makes to the local economy and that it aspires to change people’s lives.

“I have been a keen supporter of Future Yard since it started, and love that it is built on inclusion and sustainability. Music is a huge part of my life, and I am excited and honoured to sit on the Future Yard Non Executive Board.”

JOANNE BROWN

Joanne Brown is the former Managing Director of The Learning Foundry and has a proven track record of visionary leadership and strategic oversight in the Further Education sector.

Jo was key in the development of Future Yard’s partnership with The Learning Foundry, along with our Sound Check programme and is deeply committed to our mission, particularly the transformative impact for the local community.

“I firmly believe in the power of music to inspire, create opportunities, and effect positive change. My experience and leadership roles have given me a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing organisations who are committed to inspire local people and create life-changing opportunities. I am deeply committed to Future Yard’s mission and vision, particularly its transformative impact on the local community.”

JOY CHAMBERLAIN

Joy Chamberlain is the CEO of Elysium Healthcare, a provider of specialist health services across England and Wales with over 9,000 employees and 2,300 residents and patients. She is also a trustee and Treasurer of Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a UK-wide child protection charity.

Born in Birkenhead, Joy is a Chartered Accountant, qualifying with PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1990, before specialising in healthcare and operational management.

“I am an avid and active gig-goer – I probably get to around a hundred gigs a year across the UK, the vast majority at grassroots venues supporting new independent artists. I’ve been a supporter of Future Yard since its inception and I have a real connection with its values and a belief that The Future is Birkenhead.”

LYNSEY SCOTT

Lynsey Scott is a lifetime Birkenhead resident and Chartered Management Accountant by trade. Lynsey works as a Senior Finance Business Partner at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust.

“For the past 20 years I’ve worked locally in the public sector as I find it so much more rewarding working for and towards improvements for Wirral residents.

“As a lover of music and of Birkenhead, being on the Board of Future Yard is a great privilege; I will endeavour to help forge an even more successful future for the venue and will enjoy spending more time at this incredible place working alongside an inspirational team.”

MIKE SMITH

Mike Smith was born in Birkenhead and left the Wirral at 16, before establishing himself as accomplished music executive running record and music publishing companies globally, including Columbia Records UK, Virgin/EMI and Warner Chappell. His signings have included Mark Ronson, Calvin Harris, Blur, The Arctic Monkeys, The White Stripes and Arcade Fire.

He is also a successful visual artist and charity trustee.

“I am a firm believer in the power of grassroots music venues to build community. I was inspired by Future Yard – I see it as a powerhouse of local regeneration, and I have always believed in Birkenhead’s potential to be the Brooklyn to Liverpool’s Manhattan.”

TIM SHERRATT

Tim brings over 30 years of expertise in live music production and strategic development. He currently serves as Strategy Manager at Sennheiser and as a Non-Executive Director at Headphone Revolution. Tim has a rich background in fulfilling the technical audio demands of some of the world’s largest tours and live events.

He founded Sonosphere, an immersive audio content production company, and has been instrumental in developing global teams and strategies at Sennheiser. Tim is also a member of the Institute of Directors and has worked on significant projects like the 5G Festival.

“I am keen to join Future Yard’s board to bring my passion for live music and my extensive experience to support the venue’s growth and innovation, believing in its potential to make a nationally significant impact.”