Charlie works at Impetus, a grant-making and capacity-building organisation, funding and working directly with youth-focused charities and social enterprises. He also leads Impetus’ leadership development programme, the Impetus Leadership Academy, which seeks to address inequity in charity leadership by supporting high-potential leaders from ethnic minority backgrounds to progress in their careers.

Charlie previously spent 8 years working in financial services, most recently as a credit analyst for a specialist pensions investment manager.

Michael is a consultant to the global energy, technology and IT sectors advising a range of international clients on their business strategies. 

During his career he has led diverse, multicultural teams and developed strategic campaigns for leading organisations across the world.  

Michael has a particular interest in renewable energy and has worked right across the global energy sector in hydrogen, nuclear, solar and other emerging energy technologies. 

Michael specialises in devising business, government and public relations’ strategies aimed at delivering lasting positive change.  He has worked across Europe and the Middle East. 

Michael is educated to PhD. level in History and possesses Masters degrees from the College of Europe and the Jagellonian University in Krakow. 

In his spare time, Michael is a karate instructor (Fourth Dan) with the Japan Karate Association and teaches and trains in London.  He also supports social mobility initiatives and has been a judge to the UK Social Mobility Awards since its inception in 2017. 

Amy is a former Voice Magazine Kickstarter and arts practitioner, having worked with Voice she can’t wait to have a bigger role in the development of young people, with a heavy focus on supporting them in the arts.

Saskia is a published author (Hairvolution) and has guest featured in various other publications (The Women Writers’ Handbook/ Cosmopolitan/ The Highlight). She is the former assistant editor of Voice, joining the team after starting as a Voice Contributor. She is now a sub-editor at LadBible.

Everyone who works on Voice really cares about what they do. Voice was a great opportunity to develop my skills as a writer and to work with editors. It was a great way to show some of my work to potential employers.

Mystaya is currently studying English and Physical Sciences, and when they aren’t wrestling with how to stop climate change, they like to explore the interrelation between media and our lives. They are currently especially interested by how art inspires science, and the portrayal of minority groups in media.

It gave me the confidence to start writing professionally now, rather than putting it off until I’ve had more education. I feel I’ve gained the confidence that people really are interested in what I write, and that therefore it’s worth me writing.

Bhavesh Jadva is a Development Researcher at Open Mike Productions, a TV production company based in London. With shows like The Last Leg and Live At The Apollo on their roster, Bhavesh has worked with the company for the last two years, securing a commission in a new, upcoming Channel 4 comedy travelogue. Having worked on productions for ITV and Channel 4, Bhavesh has found his place in development with Open Mike creating pitch materials, scouting comedy talent and pitching to broadcasters and streamers.

Voice’s ethos is simply growth. They are filled with people who want to give you chances to do what you want to do and are clever enough to figure out what you should do, too. I feel like it helped me grow up a great deal and at the same time gave me a forceful push into learning things that I’ve taken forward into the creative industries.

Chris is a professional recitalist and ensemble musician specialising in flute, saxophone, and singing as a tenor.

He is also a full-time researcher and writer and  currently a PhD candidate at the University of Birmingham, where he is writing his thesis on the historical and current development of flute treatises.

I’ve learned much as a writer, and I’ve had positive feedback from people legitimately interested in what I’ve written. It has even presented me with opportunities to write for paid commissions which has been very exciting.

Joe is a Hertfordshire based RADA graduate working in Stage Management.She likes to knit, cook and travel and can always be found in or talking about a theatre! Jo is currently ASM for the European tour of We Will Rock You.

“Being given a chance to explore the arts, as well as my writing and my artistic style in such an open and welcoming environment has been pivotal in my growth both as a person and as a professional in the arts”

Maddie is a freelance journalist and audio producer, currently working for the BBC. She has had previous experience with NBC News, Sky News, and by-lines with the Thomson Reuters Foundation and Women’s Media Centre.

“I joined Voice to to gain experience of writing and sourcing my own stories, and have enjoyed the challenge of meeting deadlines and exploring different styles of writing.”

Olivia has been working with Upstart Projects for three years following her undergraduate degree in Education Studies from Manchester Metropolitan University. She has always been very interested in how people learn not only in the classroom but also throughout life and is very passionate about helping organisations who want to ensure they are a safe and encouraging environment for young individuals to develop. Olivia was the Business and Projects assistant at Upstart Projects for six months and is now a Project Leader at Cloud Artisans and assists Upstart Projects in various projects when needed. In her spare time you will find Olivia drinking coffee, reading a book or daydreaming about owning a dog.

Sadhana has been writing on Voice for under 3 years, after joining through Voice Outreach Young reviewer program at her local theatre. Since then, she has been reviewing New Creatives work, writing opinions pieces and a regular media column. She is writer and theatre maker, interesting in creative change-making around feminism and climate change. Sadhana is now a co-trainer for youth voice training.

Dayna joined the Upstart team in 2021. With her background being in performing arts and specifically, musical theatre, Dayna transferred her passion for the arts and events into arts and project management. Originally from Wales, Dayna moved to London and then the Midlands to pursue her career in the arts and went on to work with multiple Dance and Theatre festivals. As an administrator, she is able to utilise her knowledge of the industry and organisational skills to help the team achieve their long term vision.

As well as loving all things arts and events, she loves to travel the UK and abroad and experiencing new places a few times a year!

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 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.

Nikeria is a second-year Law with Criminology student in Nottingham. On her days off, she participates in community project work, focusing on addressing homelessness and promoting inclusion. During weekends, she enjoys engaging in art and editing. Creativity brings her peace and nostalgia, and she finds joy in both participating in creative activities and witnessing others enjoy them. This evokes her enthusiasm as a young trustee for Upstart. As a trustee, she aims to support Upstart’s Projects in any way she can to continue their work in assisting those pursuing careers in the arts. Additionally, she hopes to call attention to the Voice Magazine, which holds so much authentic and creative work.

Phoebe is another of our young trustees; having achieved both Bronze and Gold Arts Award, she first joined us in 2011 on our Arts Award Participation Team. Since graduating from Cambridge University in 2015, Phoebe has worked across the arts sector in London and is now the Operations and Events Manager at NW7Hub.

Holly is 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.

Sam is an aspiring author, theatre and dance lover, Liberal Arts student and total bookworm. When she doesn’t have her head buried in a book, you can usually find her cooking yummy vegan food, volunteering with various charities or planning her next trip! Sam is a prolific reviewer of arts on Voice Magazine, a leading voice reporter and a part of the team influencing Voice’s development. Sam is a co-trainer for our youth voice training.

Idriss joined Upstart as a Voice Contributor six years ago. He also joined our pool of young advocates for Arts Award and has been highly involved in many areas of our work over the years, including filming or starring in multiple films. He currently works on various commissions and as a co-trainer.

He is a freelance film maker, editor and producer working on and supporting a range of film & arts education projects; including training groups in using film equipment. He has worked extensively with Birmingham based organisations and can usually be found somewhere near a camera or edit suite.

Judy has been working within the arts and education sectors for over 20 years, developing creative learning, partnership practice and youth consultation work. She is a lead trainer and project associate with us. Judy is also an Arts Award senior moderator, trainer and support associate for Trinity College London and works across a variety of sectors including arts & culture, education and youth & community, developing the award for children & young people and working across the breadth of the arts. Judy has been involved in regional and national programmes including Local Cultural Education Partnerships, Artsmark and developing Arts Ambassadors, both teachers and pupils, in schools. She is a freelance creative consultant with a deep passion about creative learning for children & young people.

Sienna has been working with Upstart for several years, including on our young advocacy team for Arts Award. She was Assistant Editor at Voice magazine and is passionate about arts inclusion and creative education. She’s now studying for an MA in Conflict Resolution at King’s College London and works with NPOs in research and communications.

Alice joined the Arts Award Youth Network in 2012. She has degrees in Dance and worked for Artswork, the national youth arts development agency and SE Bridge organisation. She delivers training and several projects for Upstart and runs our engagement work in the South East, including Voice Outreach Brighton. She is an Arts Award adviser trained to Silver level, a dancer, knitter and thinker!

Alice regularly runs training and sessions to support arts development and mental health. Recently she has worked in consultancy and young people’s support for NHS commissioned services across West & East Sussex. She’s also worked for eight years with the Isle of Wight Festival as an Artist Liaison and Young Volunteer Manager.

Nici contributes to our commissioned projects and supports our arts and qualifications content on Voice. Nici loves to write about all things books, theatre, music & art. Nici writes and edits for a range of websites and publishes her own work too.

Tom is a founder member of the Arts Award Youth Network and Voice magazine, having worked with both projects since he was 17. He achieved First Class Honours in Politics at Brunel University and a Masters in Journalism. His hobbies include podcasting and music and he leads Voice’s very successful Edfringe Young Reviewers project.

Tom is a 2023 Clore Emerging Leader and digital content creator for numerous organisations.

Emrys has been involved with youth participation projects for over 15 years. Among his wider business experience Emrys has led the development of the Arts Award Youth Network and Voice website since 2011. He holds an Executive MBA, degree and licentiateship in Management with skills in project planning, financial management and people development. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management where he is also the Chair of the Board. Emrys is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and a Member of the Institute of Directors.

Specifically on training, Emrys was a senior trainer with the Participation Works Partnership creating bespoke courses for local authorities and NGO’s. He has managed numerous training programmes for young people, cultural organisations and third sector organisations including in events management accredited through Arts Award and a programme with South Essex College for NEETs accredited by NCFE.

Diana has spent thirty years working in arts education, including community arts, Theatre in Education and youth arts. She took her experience of running Shropshire Youth Arts Network to Arts Council England, where she developed the Arts Award, a UK-wide programme which supports young people to develop as artists and arts leaders. Diana’s skills are in strategic planning, communications and negotiation and she brings wide-ranging experience of developing arts opportunities for young people.