The Garage Trust Ltd is guided by an experienced and dedicated board of trustees consisting of professionals from the business sector, local authorities and community based organisations. Each trustee provides valuable skills, experience and insights that support the management team and guide the strategic development of our work. Our current trustees are:
Michael Launchbury (he/him)
CHAIR
Michael Launchbury is a senior cultural sector professional with a career spanning significant management roles in both the performing arts and the heritage sector. He is a former Chief Executive of The Globe, Southwark and Director of South Hill Park & The Wilde Theatre, Bracknell, where he presented the first WOMAD Festivals in Berkshire. Between 1990 and 2000 he was Director of Public Services and Estates for the Museum of London, where he was responsible for capital planning and development, visitor services, exhibitions, education, security and building management. In that role he project managed the creation of the London Archaeological Archive & Research Centre, a landmark project in providing public access to original materials.
Jo Warr
VICE CHAIR
Jo Warr is Head of Development at Norfolk Museums Service, part of Norfolk County Council. The service operates 10 museums across the county including Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Time and Tide Museum in Great Yarmouth, and Lynn Museum in King’s Lynn. She is responsible for programme management, fundraising, external partnerships, marketing and communications, and skills development. Jo has been with the Service since 2003 and in her current post since 2014. In previous roles she worked for Arts Council England and the Architecture Foundation. Jo joined the Garage Trust in 2017.
Jeremy Gilks
Jeremy is the youngest of five children and has lived most of his life in and around Norwich. Having qualified as an accountant working in the profession he has spent the majority of his subsequent career in commercial roles as finance or commercial director for companies ranging from starts ups to £400 million turnover subsidiaries of FTSE100 companies. He currently runs his own accounting practice in Norwich which he started in 2018.
He has a broad range of experience in the food, consumer goods, logistics, professional services and IT sectors. He also has a strong IT skillset and is a self-confessed IT geek. Jeremy joined the board of trustees in 2017 and chairs the finance committee acting as a bridge between the finance operations and the board.
Outside work he and his wife Sally have a busy life with their four children and grandson. He is also a keen sportsman though he says his rugby and basketball days are now sadly over. Instead he spends his time cycling.
Daniel Thrower is CEO of The Wensum Trust in Norwich and former headteacher of an ‘outstanding’ infant and nursery school. Over Daniel’s 30 years of teaching and, more specifically, the last 15 years he has worked with a host of experts to provide a better understanding within education of the needs of children who have difficulties with their mental health and those who have suffered early life trauma. He was founder of a successful school-to-school outreach service, supporting children who struggle in school because of their early life experiences. In 2023, Daniel co-authored The A to Z of Trauma-Informed Teaching: Strategies and Solutions to Help with Behaviour and Support for Children.
Sarah Crompton-Howes (she/her)
Sarah is Executive Producer of Selladoor Worldwide, a commercial theatre production company delivering large scale national and international tours and immersive productions: Madagascar The Musical (UK & International), Spongebob The Musical (General Management UK Tour), We Will Rock You (International), Monopoly Lifesized, Saw: The Experience, The Paddington Experience (General Management). Based in the East of England, Sarah’s background is in producing work in the UK and across Europe with Arts Council England-funded companies, Creative Europe funding and freelance artists.
Sarah Hamilton
Sarah joined the board in 2014. She is currently Director of External Relations at Norwich University of the Arts, overseeing all the university’s marketing, communications, student recruitment, events, development and work with schools. With a background in TV production she first came to Norwich in 1992 to work on Unnatural Causes, one of the PD James dramas made by Anglia TV, and continued to work between London and Norfolk until joining NUA in 2009.
Nadine Zubair (She/her)
Nadine works at the University of East Anglia (UEA) as a Teaching and Academic Librarian and has lived in Norwich with her family for 13 years. She received her PhD in Art History and World Art Studies from UEA as a mature student in 2020 and is interested in South Asian heritage, material culture, and digital humanities. She also has a background in public sector information technology and worked for Deloitte Consulting in the US for several years. Growing up in Pakistan, Nadine was keen on theatre and performance in college, but didn’t pursue it further. Now she sees and appreciates how access to the creative and performing arts has enriched her children’s lives and wellbeing and brought them joy, and believes that all young people should be able to access such opportunities.
Emily Field
Emily has a background in classical music, specifically choral singing. After studying music in Sheffield and Manchester, she went to work on the BBC Proms and Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), before going on to work in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. During this time she was Head of the UK City of Culture Programme, Head of Cultural Diplomacy and Head of International Activity for Eurovision 2023. Emily currently works in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and continues to sing on a part-time basis.
Having grown up in Norwich, Emily was lucky enough to experience its cultural offer and is delighted to be part of The Garage Trust.
Ayla Fulstow
Ayla moved to Norwich from Peterborough in 2018 to study for a fashion degree, graduating and representing Norwich University of the Arts in 2021 at Graduate Fashion Week.
She has spent the last few years focusing on personal development, participating in therapy and mentorship programs while reshaping herself and her artistic practice.
She completed the Introduction to the Creative Industries programme at The Garage in 2023 and through that experience, realised that as a young person, had the ability to take the difficulties she experienced as a child and reshape them into something that could have a positive experience on young people’s lives.
This driving force led her to join The Garage as a Trustee at the end of 2023 with the hope of contributing to positive change in young people’s lives through her own lived experiences.
Tim Brain
Tim is an accomplished professional in the cultural education sector with a wealth of experience in strategic leadership, project management and partnership development. He has made significant contributions to music education, particularly through roles with Norfolk Music Hub and as Director of Louder Than Life.
In his current position at Norfolk Music Hub, Tim has played a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the organisation, overseeing large scale events and ensuring effective collaboration. His work has enhanced access to music education by implementing diverse, accessible, and inclusive initiatives.
Tim has a wealth of experience of strategic growth, financial management and client relationship development. His work nationally has enriched the cultural understanding of countless young people and communities.
Tim’s board experience is extensive currently serving as a co-opted member of Freshly Greated’s Strategic Board and as a Local Cultural Education Partnership chair. He enjoys spending his spare time exploring the natural beauty of Norfolk through beach walks with his two sausage dogs.