The programme leaders

Bernard is the director of The National Arts Fundraising School. For over 30 years he has acted as a fundraising consultant to a wide range of bodies in the arts and cultural world, including creating the strategy for Europe’s largest cultural organisation, The Southbank Centre. He designed the successful campaign for the new £65M Paisley Museum. He regularly consults on major fundraising projects for leading organisations such as UNICEF, NSPCC and CRUK.

An international expert on decision science, he has written ten best-selling books on fundraising including The Influential Fundraiser – a top five non-profit book in the New York Times Online — and Making the Ask, an Amazon #1 Best Seller

Sarah is the director of patron experience at Theatre Royal Wakefield.  Part of the executive team, she leads strategic initiatives across fundraising, communications, programming, and visitor services. She ensures exceptional experiences underpin organisational success.

Leading a small team she works across the full fundraising spectrum: individual giving, membership, corporates, and trusts & foundations. She has particular expertise in corporate giving.

Over 20 years she has worked in fundraising across a number of sectors but now focuses on the arts.

Sarah leads on our work supporting smaller organisations, bringing expertise in delivering funding strategies. and on how to maximise corporate support.

Alessandro is the CEO of Holocaust Centre North, where he leads an ambitious team of heritage professionals and creatives. As a fundraiser, Alessandro is a networker who puts storytelling at the heart of his approach, alongside passion for the role that heritage, museums and education can play in and for communities.

Alessandro’s strengths are in engaging philanthropy especially working with trusts and foundations. He is also interested in the link between branding and fundraising. He is proud to be an alumnus of the National Arts Fundraising School.

Alessandro leads on our work exploring the impact of AI and has a special interest in the role of CEOs in fundraising.

Lucy Stone is a fundraising consultant specialising in supporting arts and culture sector organisations.She helps them to raise more through trusts and foundations, diversifying their income and making better connections with their funders and supporters.

Lucy is currently supporting small charities like Ensemble Reza and Soundcastle, alongside NPOs Phoenix Dance Theatre and Arts By The Sea (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council) and networks like Music Venue Trust, LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment) and Association of Festivals.

She is a director of consultancy No Stone Unturned Fundraising, which she founded in 2018.

We’re delighted to welcome Susan Fisher as a specialist coach for anyone undertaking a major project or one with a heritage focus. Sue has over 20 years’ experience in fundraising, working predominantly in the arts, cultural and heritage sectors. She was the Director of Development for the Science Museum Group, and worked with the University of Oxford’s central development function at the Ashmolean Museum.

She is Director of Development for English Heritage.

James has worked in the leisure and culture sector for nearly 30 years with a passion for culture, sport and the positive effect it can have on peoples’ lives. His work has extended to strategic leadership roles in local government, private sector, and charities.

As an Executive Director of Magna Vitae he works with partners delivering the external funding for many health, well-being, cultural and sporting projects in Lincolnshire and wider. He is the School’s expert on local authorities and culture/leisure trusts can secure funds.