The programme leaders

Bernard Ross is Director of The National Arts Fundraising School. For over 20 years, he has acted as a fundraising consultant to a wide range of bodies in the arts and cultural world, including Scottish Opera, BFI and Southbank Centre. He regularly consults on major fundraising projects for leading organisations such as UNICEF, NSPCC and Cancer Research UK.

He has written eight best selling books on fundraising including  The Influential Fundraiser– listed as one of the top five non-profit books by New York Times Online.

Jules Bellingham is Deputy Director of the School. She originally came from a commercial background in sales with a major multinational. She was then Deputy Director for Fundraising at one of the UK’s largest children’s charities, Action for Children.

She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in fundraising and specialises in foundations, sponsorship and communication skills.

Her current clients range from Marie Curie to the Museums Development Network.

Dana Segal is Deputy Director of the School specialising in strategy and fundraising in the cultural sector.

She has worked across theatre, music, visual art, galleries, museums and local authorities.

Her specialisms include developing online and individual giving. Her recent  =mc clients include Southbank Centre, York Museums Trust and Scottish Books Trust. Outside the arts she’s delivered training and consultancy on innovation for UNICEF in Spain and on strategy for World YWCA.

Marina has 20 years’ experience in fundraising. She was Head of Development at Polka Theatre and has worked at the Lyric Hammersmith, Orange Tree Theatre and The Royal Opera House. From January 2022 she joins English National Opera as Deputy Development Director.

She has a wealth of expertise in trusts and foundations, legacies, strategy, supporter engagement and campaigns. She completed an MA with Distinction in Philanthropic Studies with a dissertation on legacy giving. She is the co-author of Helping Supporters Choose the breakthrough book on use of decision science in arts and cultural fundraising.

Steph Graham is an Art Sector Consultant who helps artists and cultural organisations achieve their fundraising, sustainability and business development goals. She has a broad, cross-sector perspective has resulted in a proven track record working with micro-organisations through to nationally recognised institutions. She has worked for Arts Council England multiple times in a variety of different roles: as a Relationship Manager during NPO reviews and assessing over £4 million worth of projects as a visual arts assessor. Her specialisms include fundraising strategy, strategic bid-writing and funder relationship management. Steph has a keen interest and background particularly in visual and disability arts. She is a director of consultancy for Adapt for Arts, which she founded 2014, and a freelance consultant.

Liz is a New York City-based partner consultant and founder of the International Social Impact Institute at City University of New York.

She enables cultural leaders to increase their impact by engaging stakeholders across digital and traditional channels and geographies. Clients include academic institutions, human rights bodies, youth organizations, and multilateral agencies in Africa, Europe and the US.

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. Sue has supported arts and culture organisations as a trustee and consultant helping organisations grow their philanthropic capabilities. Her expertise is in developing teams, leading successful £multi-million capital campaigns and securing support from HNWIs.

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.

Jeremy Wyatt is CEO of The Gaiety Theatre in Ayr and a Director of consultancy Hall Aitken Associates.  He has worked in fundraising for over 30 years specialising in public and trust fund sources as well as carrying out investment appraisals and advice for the private and third sector. 

He has consulted on over 20 National Lottery Community Fund programmes, for national and local government across the UK and for many community groups.

While now largely focusing on theatre and arts, he also chairs the Social Value UK Council and is a member of the Social Value International methodology committee.