Upstart Projects is the charity behind Voice magazine and Youth Voice Training.Our trustees bring a wealth of experience to support the staff to fulfil our mission and run a sustainable organisation.
Chair of Trustees Holly Howe
Deputy Chair of Trustees Phoebe Hill
Trustee Tom Edwards
Trustee Beth Troakes
Dinesh Thanigasalam
Nigel Hilditch
Nigel Hilditch
Nigel is a multiple award-winning content production specialist with extensive experience creating innovative video and written work for leading brands, broadcasters, and publishers including Sotheby’s, Reuters, Bloomberg, the BBC, ITV, NBCUniversal, Lloyds Bank, and The Arts Society. He is an expert in creative development, content strategy, digital marketing, social media, brand building, team management, video production, copywriting, AI, and budget management for digital, social, broadcast, and live events.
Dinesh Thanigasalam
Dinesh has spent many years working in the IT sector from being on a helpdesk to eventually owning and managing a software company. He has many passions including a love of the arts. He is keen to bring his business management skills to enable Upstart Projects and Voice to help more young people realise their potential in the enjoyment and critique of the arts.
Beth Troakes
Trustee
Beth is a freelance curator and gallery director based in Brighton. She has curated exhibitions nationally and internationally and has worked with partners in Italy, South Korea and China. She has worked in development as both a freelancer and in arts organisations for many years and has also worked with many award-winning international theatre companies and performers as a producer and strives to support artists and musicians who are unsigned and unrepresented.
Tom Edwards
Trustee
Tom is a filmmaker and photographer. He is currently working as a Digital Marketing and Campaigns Officer at North West Bridge organisation Curious Minds who help connect young people to arts and culture. He has a degree in Film Production and has completed his Digital Marketing apprenticeship. He is currently finishing up his Gold Arts Award and has been working as part of the Wigan Local Cultural Education Partnership.
Phoebe Hill
Deputy Chair of Trustees
Phoebe is our Deputy Chair and HR lead, having joined the board as a founding young trustee. Phoebe has worked across the arts and voluntary sector in London, with experience in community participation and events. Following a career change, she now manages the HR team at older people’s charity Independent Age.
Holly Howe
Chair of Trustees
Hollyis a freelance art journalist, writing for various publications including State/F22 magazine, The Art Newspaper, Highsnobiety, Complex, i-D, and Londnr. She leads guided art walks in London as well as giving talks and chairing panel discussions at places including Soho House, The Hospital Club, and the House of St Barnabas. She also works in corporate communications for an assortment of clients.