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.

Rob Shaw is a freelance fundraising and management consultant and an =mc Partner Consultant specialising in the Arts and Cultural sector. He has over 20 years experience in the sector, and has held leadership roles in some of the UK’s leading cultural organisations, including Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, chamber orchestra Manchester Camerata and the Science Museum Group. Specialisms include fundraising strategy, corporate sponsorship and supporting clients to place fundraising at the heart of their organisational culture.

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.

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.

Marina has 20 years’ experience in fundraising working for theatres. She was Head of Development at Polka Theatre and has worked at the Lyric Hammersmith and Orange Tree Theatre.

She is Head of Membership and Fundraising Campaigns at the Royal Opera House and has a wealth of expertise is in trusts and foundations, legacy fundraising and strategy, supporter engagement and campaigns. She completed an MA with Distinction in Philanthropic Studies with a dissertation on legacy giving and through voluntary roles supports peer learning and coaches arts charities to develop their fundraising propositions. She is the co-author of Helping Supporters Choose the breakthrough book on use of decision science in arts and cultural fundraising.

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.

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

In the arts sector 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). She also supports the members of organisations like Music Venue Trust, LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment) and Association of Festivals, many of whom are raising funds for the first time.

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