Open Doors Board - Palace Theatre, Newark

Meet the Open Doors Board

Open Doors Board Members in front of the Palace Theatre Open Doors Board Members work alongside our staff and volunteers to drive the Open Doors programme forward.

The Board helps to develop the Open Doors programme, reviewing and approving plans and strategy; monitors activity to ensure outcomes are being achieved; ensures the programme meets its commitments to funders, stakeholders and the people of Newark and Sherwood; and communicates effectively with stakeholders and the community about their aims and values.

A Message from our Chair — Helen Rushby

"I would like to introduce myself as Chair of the Open Doors Board, and the other members of our Board. Collectively, we have experience of working in Green Spaces, Arts, Music, Education, Universities and Charities, bringing together our varied experiences, backgrounds and perspectives. This wealth of knowledge and representation helps us support and challenge the running of the Open Doors Project. We meet four times a year to provide effective governance and oversight of activities, operations and finance, ensuring that Arts Council England’s investment principles show in the arts activities offered, and in the culture and working practices within the Heritage and Culture team in our district."

"I hope you will participate in the Open Doors arts activities we’re putting on in communities, schools and arts venues in Newark and Sherwood until Spring 2026. I look forward to meeting you."

Helen Rushby

Role on Board: Chair, Finance and Risk Committee Member

Before retiring in 2015, Helen was the People Development Manager at English Heritage for ten years. Prior to this, Helen jointly ran a small business and gained six years of experience running an acting agency that covered theatre, film, TV and video. She also provided consultancy and training across the public and commercial sectors, with a special focus on social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations.

From 2001 to 2010, Helen was Vice-Chair on the Board of Warley Woods Community Trust in Smethwick, West Midlands. She secured Heritage Lottery Funding and transferred the running of the 100-acre community park from council-run to a now-community charity. Since retiring, Helen has been actively involved with the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline and acted as a business mentor for the King’s (then Prince’s) Trust from 2015 to 2019. She is currently Chair of Governors at Kirklington Primary School, having acted as a school governor since 2018.

Dale Shaw

Role on Board: Vice Chair, Finance and Risk Committee Member

Dale’s background is in senior management, with significant experience in both the nuclear and power generation sectors. Dale currently sits on boards for both charitable and educational organisations, and is passionate about young people receiving development opportunities.

Helene Burd

Role on Board: Board Member, Finance and Risk Committee Member

After growing up in Sweden, Helene studied at the London School of Economics and the University of Nottingham. She has worked for the British Council, both in the UK and abroad, and is currently a Senior Quality and Standards Advisor for Nottingham Trent University, working on course design and approval, as well as policy development.

Helene was previously an Accreditation Manager for the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IoM3). She has visited universities and companies in the UK and abroad, accrediting courses and graduate training schemes against the UK Engineering Council’s professional standards. Helene has extensive experience working with a range of diverse groups. This includes her voluntary work as Chair at Collingham and District Pre-School, as a Governor at John Blow Primary School, as a founding member of the Collingham and District Local History Society, and as Editor of the Fleet Magazine. Her work has also included supporting post-sixteen learners with basic maths and literacy skills at the Hill Holt Wood social enterprise.

Robert Winterton

Role on Board: Board Member, Dynamism Champion, Finance and Risk Committee Member

Robert has worked in London in sales, business development, and management, and is greatly experienced in these areas. More recently, Robert worked as a Business Development Consultant within the charity sector. Currently, Robert is a trustee for High Ground, a services charity focusing on horticultural therapy and rural employment, a school trustee, and is working to become a magistrate. Robert has also worked as a Business Development Consultant for the wealth and institutional fund management sector, focusing on charities and not-for-profit organisations.

Lucy Reid

Role on Board: Board Member, Ambition and Quality Champion

Lucy has spent her working life in music education. She started as a peripatetic woodwind and piano teacher, and in 2001, began her journey with Nottinghamshire County Council's Arts Support Service. She later became Training Co-ordinator and went on to lead the Instrumental Teaching Service. In 2017, Lucy became Music Services Manager for Inspire, incorporating the teaching service for Nottinghamshire. She is also the lead officer for the Hub Lead Organisation of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Music Hub. Lucy continues to teach in primary and secondary schools. Through this work, Lucy has developed a strong understanding of the requirements of a National Portfolio Organisation. She is also Chair of the Board of Directors for East Midlands NPO, mjazz.

Dot Varney

Role on Board: Board Member, Inclusivity and Relevance Champion

Dot has gained significant experience in heritage and theatre through her hobbies and career—from acting to stage direction, costumed interpretation, and education. She has a degree in History, Museums and Heritage Studies, along with a postgraduate qualification in Heritage Tourism. Dot has worked in a variety of paid and voluntary roles within the heritage sector. This includes positions with the National Trust, Historic Royal Palaces, and the National Maritime Museum. Informed by her own experiences of living with disabilities, Dot believes that arts and culture should be accessible and enjoyed by everyone.

Grahame Willis

Role on Board: Board Member

Grahame is a musician and peripatetic music teacher working with young people, and is committed to making culture more accessible. Connected with numerous performance groups, including choral and operatic societies, Grahame is an experienced performer. He knows first-hand the benefits of music education, such as skills and personal development, along with the value of investing in the next generation of audiences and professionals.

Fiona Theokritoff

Role on Board: Board Member, Environment Responsibility Champion

Based in Newark since 2002, Fiona is a freelance poet, writing mentor, and creative writing tutor. She currently works as a tutor with Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries, and is involved with local creative initiatives, including Newark Book Festival. Her first degree was in Environmental Science and Ecology, which is useful in her role as an Open Doors Environmental Responsibility Champion. She has previously worked in children’s publishing and as a complementary health practitioner, and is experienced in programming community arts, cultural events, and workshops. Since gaining her MA in Creative Writing from Nottingham Trent University in 2019, she has established a varied writing practice, which is currently focused on work inspired by science.

Catherine Lester

Role on Board: Board Member

In 2019 Catherine gained her Master’s degree in Heritage and Interpretation Studies, and has experience of theatre through undergraduate training and volunteering. Catherine currently works at Burghley House as Heritage Officer, and prior to this worked for Surrey County Libraries. Catherine is experienced in working for local government and heritage sites, and sees the great potential in both history and theatre for inspiring and bringing communities together.

Councillor Rowan Cozens

Role on Board: Board Member

Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and the Arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council.