Staff and Trustees

Carol Watts – Chair

Carol is Professor of Literature and Poetics, Head of English, University of Sussex. She was appointed Chair in December 2018.

Isilda Almeida

Isilda has worked in the cultural sector in learning, community engagement and inclusion for nearly 20 years. She is passionate about the power of museums to inspire and foster creativity. Isilda is a Museum Consultant and Doctoral student researching the use of technologies for audience engagement.

Penny Jones

Penny Jones had a career in museum and gallery learning and participation. She managed projects at the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery and was the director of the UK wide Watch this Space programme for engage, the national association for gallery education. With a specialist interest in the history of craft in education she worked for clients including the Crafts Council, National Trust and London Mayor’s Office. She is now co-director of a Sussex forestry business which supplies timber for arts and education projects.

Robert Griffiths

Robert enjoyed a working career that included management roles in both the commercial and charity sectors. Prior to retirement, he worked for 17 years as Director of Fundraising and Communications at the Martlets Hospice in Hove. Since retirement he has become a Trustee of the Dodgson Trust, the Friends of Brighton and Hove Hospitals and he supports the work of RISE – a charity supporting those affected by or threatened with domestic abuse. He joined the board in 2017 and lives locally in Streat.

Jo Myles

Jo actively works with hundreds of contemporary artists, hosting major artist open calls and curating hangs across the county with her role as Creative Director and Co-Founder with Sussex Contemporary Ltd.

She has a rich background in the creative industries having worked for the likes of Alexander McQueen, Duffer of St George, and Laura Ashley before going onto form her own award winning previous company, 3 Blonde Bears.

Within her own creative practice Jo creates patterns inspired by her love of geometrics juxtaposed with natural forms she uses these to create her bespoke wallpaper and fabrics. An accredited maker with the Crafts Council and an active member of Heritage Crafts, she is one of 14 lino printers that are making bespoke artisan products using this method globally.

Mathew Clayton

Mathew Clayton is Senior Editor at the book publishing company Unbound.

He has previously worked for Random House, Channel 4, The Guardian and the Port Eliot Festival.

Philippa Hobson

Philippa Hobson is a communication consultant who builds audiences and creates meaningful engagement for charities specialising in arts and education. One of the founders of London Craft Week she has developed and delivered qualifications at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Central Saint Martins, The Art Fund and Creative & Cultural Skills.

Ashley Knowles

Ashley is a financial analyst with extensive experience of business planning, cost & revenue modelling and financial management. He has written about financial management in the Arts and mentored arts administrators. Ashley joined the board in 2019 and lives in Ditchling, where he served three terms as a parish councillor. Photo credit: portrait by Ditchling artist Bernadina Lloyd.

Brian Cohen

Brian is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor specialising in the repair and refurbishment of listed buildings and churches and was Senior Partner of a medium sized practice of Chartered Surveyors before retiring. He has worked on Royal Palaces, National Trust properties, diplomatic facilities, museums and art galleries including Leighton House and Sambourne House Museums and The Cabinet War Rooms. He lives in Ditchling and continues to work part time for private clients.

Amanda Gray – Honorary Legal Council

Amanda is a Partner in Mishcon de Reya LLP, specialising in Art Law and the related field of Luxury Assets. She supports and works with Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft as our Honorary Legal Counsel. Amanda’s clients include both public and private institutions such as galleries, museums, auction houses, artists, private collectors, foundations, and banks.